SPAIN: The third metro line in Bilbao opened on April 8. Line L3 links Kukullaga on the EuskoTren commuter network to Matiko. There are five intermediate stations on the 5·9 km route, including an interchange with lines L1 and L2 at Casco Viejo.
The metre-gauge line is operated by EuskoTren using a fleet of three-car Class 950 trainsets supplied by CAF. The 51 m long sets have capacity for 296 passengers, including 94 seated, and can be expanded by adding an intermediate car, which would increase capacity to 390 passengers.
In 2014 EuskoTren ordered 12 Class 950 trainsets for Line L3 and 16 to replace Class 200 and Class 300 rolling stock on the other lines. Deliveries under the €150m contract are due to be completed in May 2020.
Services run from 06.30 to 23.00 on weekdays and 02.00 on weekends. The end-to-end journey time is 13 min. Services run every 7½ min on weekdays, every 10 min at weekends and every 15 min in the late evenings.
Future plans envisage a 6·6 km extension from Matiko to Bilbao Airport.
