Cercanías Bilbao

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Network map.
Network map.
Abando station, with UT 446 units.
Abando station, with UT 446 units.

The cercanías Renfe service in Bilbao consists of three lines, all of them calling at Bilbao-Abando station, the terminal station from which all lines depart and arrive. Lines C1 and C2 run through the city of Bilbao in a tunnel with several stations. Bilbao-Abando and San Mamés have connections with the Metro. They follow the left bank of the Estuary of Bilbao until Barakaldo, where each one separates, C1 to Santurtzi and C2 to Muskiz. C3 goes inland through the provinces of Biscay and Alava to Orduña.

Contents

[edit] Trains

The rolling stock consists of UT 446 electrical units built by CAF, each one formed by three cars.

[edit] Lines

Unit leaving Olabega station, heading for San Mamés.
Unit leaving Olabega station, heading for San Mamés.
C1 Line C2 Line C3 Line
Bilbao-Abando - Metro Bilbao, EuskoTran, C1 C2 and C3 Bilbao Abando Bilbao Abando
Zabalburu Zabalburu Miribilla (under construction)
Ametzola - FEVE Ametzola La Peña
Autonomia Autonomia Ollargan
San Mamés - Metro Bilbao, EuskoTran and the bus terminal San Mamés Bidebieta-Basauri
Olabeaga Olabeaga Basauri
Zorrotza Zorrotza Abaroa-San Miguel
Lutxana-Barakaldo Lutxana-Barakaldo Arrigorriaga
Barakaldo Barakaldo Ugao-Miraballes
Sestao Galindo Bakiola
La Iberia Trapaga Arrankudiaga
Portugalete Valle de Trápaga-Trapagaran Arbide
Peñota Urioste Arakaldo
Santurtzi Sagrada Familia Areta
Ortuella Llodio
Gallarta Luiando
Putxeta Salbio
Muskiz Amurrio
Iñarratxu
Orduña
Ametzola station.
Ametzola station.

[edit] Works

These are the recent projects that have been developed or will be started in the network.

[edit] Southern rail branch (C-1 and C-2)

In year 2000 the network was renewed by the public company Bilbao Ria 2000, several new underground stations were opened in the city of Bilbao, a project that was called Southern rail branch (Variante sur ferroviaria).

This change implied the closing of Parke/Guggenheim and Bilbao-La Naja stations, on the line that run beside the river before that date. This cleared ground for the creation of new riverside avenues and the tramway. The tracks used for the new branch were used before for freight transport, these tracks were covered and a new avenue and the park of Ametzola were created on top of them. The stations on the new branch are:

  • San Mamés
  • Autonomía
  • Ametzola
  • Zabalburu
The new Santurtzi station.
The new Santurtzi station.

The former Bilbao-La Naja terminal station gave way to Bilbao-Abando, where C1 and C2 services arrive and depart now. Formerly this station was used only by C3 and long distance services, to cope with the increase of traffic two new covered platforms were added to the station, increasing the number of platforms from six to eight. The remains of Bilbao-La Naja station can still be seen beside the Arenal bridge.

The Ametzola area was a rail yard, that was dismantled to create new parks and residential areas.

[edit] Santurtzi station (C-1)

The new Santurtzi station was built close to the old one by Bilbao Ria 2000 and inaugurated on July 10 2003. The space that the old station occupied is used now as a parking lot, but will be renewed to extend the nearby park.

[edit] Miribilla station (C-3)

This station is under construction and will link the newly developed neighbourhoods with central Bilbao. This will be Spain's deepest underground station when finished, the access to the platforms will be provided by lifts.

[edit] San José station (C-3)

Works have started in the new San José station, in the town of Amurrio.

Tracks at Barakaldo, this section will be covered.
Tracks at Barakaldo, this section will be covered.

[edit] Barakaldo station (C-1/C-2)

This station will be renewed, 200 m of tracks will be covered, improving the newly developed neighbourhoods of Barakaldo.

[edit] Portugalete station (C-1)

This station will be covered, a mall will be created on top of it and lifts will provide access from central Portugalete.

[edit] Vizcaya Bridge station (C-1)

There is a proposal to build this underground station, intermediate between Portugalete and Peñota stations, that would provide a direct link to Vizcaya Bridge.

[edit] External links

Renfe website