The Metro Ligero (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmetɾo liˈxeɾo]; literally "Light Metro", meaning "Light Rail") is a semi-metro system in Madrid, Spain. It has three lines,[1] totaling 27.8 kilometres (17.3 mi), and 37 stations.

Metro Ligero
An LRV on Line ML-1 in 2011.
An LRV on Line ML-1 in 2011.
Overview
OwnerAutonomous Government of the Community of Madrid
LocaleMadrid
Transit typeLight rail/Semi-metro
Number of lines3[1]
Number of stations37
Websitewww.melimadrid.com
Operation
Began operation24 May 2007; 17 years ago (2007-05-24)
Technical
System length28 km (17 mi)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC

Lines

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Line ML-1

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Line ML-1
 
Pinar de Chamartín
 
Fuente de la Mora
 
Virgen del Cortijo
 
 
Antonio Saura
 
 
Álvarez de Villaamil
 
Blasco Ibáñez
 
María Tudor
 
 
Palas de Rey
 
Las Tablas

  Line ML-1 opened between Pinar de Chamartín and Las Tablas on 24 May 2007, with 5.4 kilometres (3.4 mi) and nine stations, five of which are underground. Both termini offer connections to lines of the Madrid Metro. The only above-ground stations are Antonio Saura, Álvarez de Villaamil, Palas de Rey, and Las Tablas. Line ML-1 serves the new neighbourhoods of Sanchinarro and Las Tablas, in the Fuencarral district.

 

Line ML-2

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Line ML-2
 
Colonia Jardín
 
 
Prado de la Vega
 
Colonia de los Ángeles
 
 
Prado del Rey
 
Somosaguas Sur
 
 
Somosaguas Centro
 
Pozuelo Oeste
 
Prado de las Bodegas
future station
 
Bélgica
 
Dos Castillas
 
 
Campus de Somosaguas
 
Avenida de Europa
 
 
Berna
 
Estación de Aravaca

  Line ML-2 opened on 27 July 2007, between Colonia Jardín and Estación de Aravaca in the neighbourhood of Aravaca, in the western communities of Boadilla del Monte and Pozuelo de Alarcón. It is 8.7 kilometres (5.4 mi) long and has 13 stations, three of which are underground. They are Colonia Jardín, Somosaguas Sur, and Avenida de Europa. Line ML-2 also serves the Complutense University of Madrid. As part of the project, provision has been made for a future station at Prado de las Bodegas, which is subject to further development. The station will also provide a connection to the planned Metro Ligero Line ML-4, to Estación de Las Rozas.

 

Line ML-3

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Line ML-3
 
Colonia Jardín
 
 
Ciudad de la Imagen
 
José Isbert
 
Ciudad del Cine
 
Cocheras
 
Retamares
 
Retamares Oeste
future station
 
 
 
Montepríncipe
 
 
Ventorro del Cano
 
Prado del Espino
 
Ciudad Financiera Este
future station
 
Ciudad Financiera Oeste
future station
 
Cantabria
 
Ferial de Boadilla
 
Boadilla Centro
 
Nuevo Mundo
 
Siglo XXI
 
Infante Don Luis
 
Puerta de Boadilla

  Line ML-3 also opened on 27 July 2007, between Colonia Jardín and Puerta de Boadilla, with 13.7 kilometres (8.5 mi) and 15 stations, two of which are underground. The two are Colonia Jardín and Montepríncipe (which is in an open cut between two separate tunnels). Line ML-3 serves Ciudad de la Imagen, an employment centre with an audiovisual theme, and ends in Boadilla del Monte. The first 50 to 75 metres (164 to 246 ft) of track are shared with Line ML-2. As with Line ML-2, Line ML-3 serves the western suburbs of Madrid. Both lines are in a special fare zone designated as "Metro Ligero Oeste". Provision has been made for three additional stations on the line: Retamares Oeste, Ciudad Financiera Este, and Ciudad Financiera Oeste. None of the three are scheduled to open until further development takes place.

 

Line ML-4

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  The Parla Tram is also known as ML-4.[2]
 

Future projects

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  • A new Metro Ligero line, Line ML-4, is proposed from the new station Prado de las Bodegas on Line ML-2 to Estación de Las Rozas, with a connection to Cercanías trains. The line would serve the Hospital Puerta de Hierro. Construction of the 14.3 km (8.9 mi), 24 station route is currently underway.
  • A tramway is also proposed for the southern suburb of Valdemoro, which would connect the Cercanías railway station and the Infanta Elena Hospital. Both were expected to open by 2011.
  • Lines ML-2 and ML-3 are expected to be extended from Colonia Jardín to Aluche by 2020.

Rolling stock

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The three Metro Ligero lines are operated by a fleet of 70 low-floor Alstom Citadis model 302 trams. Unlike the Madrid Metro, trams operate on the right. The trams have a maximum speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and are capable of carrying 200 passengers, 54 seated. They are currently assembled into 30-metre (98 ft) train-sets, but are designed so that they can be expanded to 45 metres (148 ft) in the future.

The Citadis 302 model as used on the Metro Ligero is similar to those used by the Parla Tram in the southern suburb of Parla. However, those used on the Metro Ligero are painted red and blue, while the trams used in Parla are lime green.

Car 153 was loaned to Buenos Aires starting in 2008 for use on the Tranvía del Este demonstration tram service at Puerto Madero.

In May 2009, six (165-170) were sold to TransAdelaide for use on the Glenelg line in Adelaide, Australia.[3][4] In December 2017, Adelaide received a further three (150, 154, 155).[5][6]

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Network map

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Lines and Time tables". Metro de Madrid. Retrieved 2014-03-09.
  2. ^ "Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid - Metro Ligero / Tranvía".
  3. ^ Six new trams for Adelaide-ex-Madrid Adelaide Advertiser 7 June 2009
  4. ^ "Six new trams for Adelaide" Trolley Wire issue 318 August 2009 page 21
  5. ^ Old trams with outdated technology being considered for Adelaide, Opposition says ABC News 19 February 2017
  6. ^ "Here & There" Trolley Wire issue 352 February 2018 page 19
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