LAST MONTH Madrid Metro was due to call tenders for work to increase capacity at five stations on Line 3, including the lengthening of platforms to 90m, installation of lifts and the construction of new ticket halls. Tendering for the second phase of the €120m programme, comprising a further five stations, is due to start in April and it is hoped to complete work in summer 2006.
A new fleet of 126 aluminium-bodied Series 3000 cars, formed as 21 trainsets, is to be acquired for the narrow-profile Line 3, expected to cost €119m. Upgrading the traction power supply is expected to cost a further €32m, and will involve raising the supply voltage from 600V to 1·5 kV DC as well as installing rigid catenary on the 6·3 km route. To increase the maximum number of trains in service during the peaks from the present 17, three new traction substations are to be installed and the route is to be resignalled.
