Madrid Launches New Stadler Double-Deck Trains With Capacity for Nearly 1,900 Passengers
Madrid has introduced its first new high-capacity Stadler commuter trains, beginning a major rolling stock renewal designed to increase capacity across the Cercanías network.
Madrid has put its first new high-capacity Stadler commuter trains into commercial service, beginning a major renewal of the rolling stock used across one of Europe’s busiest suburban rail networks. The first two units, a 100-meter T100 and a 200-meter T200, are initially operating on Cercanías Line C7, connecting Alcalá de Henares, Príncipe Pío and Chamartín.
The trains are designed to address growing demand on a network that carries around 730,000 passengers on an average day and more than 200 million annually. Their introduction is particularly important because parts of Madrid’s rail infrastructure, including the Recoletos and Sol tunnels, face capacity constraints that make adding more train paths difficult.
Instead, Renfe is increasing the number of passengers each train can carry. The four-car T100 accommodates up to 916 passengers, while the eight-car T200 can carry as many as 1,883. Overall capacity is up to 20% higher than on the existing Civia fleet.
The new trains combine single-deck and double-deck cars and feature a high number of doors and larger vestibules to accelerate boarding and reduce station dwell times. Low-floor areas provide level access from platforms, while dedicated spaces are available for passengers with reduced mobility, bicycles, pushchairs and luggage.
Passenger amenities include Wi-Fi, USB and 220-volt power outlets, real-time information displays and CCTV coverage. The trains also use LED lighting, energy-efficient air-conditioning, improved thermal insulation and regenerative electric braking. Built for Spain’s 1,668 mm Iberian gauge and 3 kV DC electrification, they have a maximum speed of 140 km/h.
A Wider Fleet Renewal Across Spain
Renfe has ordered 79 high-capacity Stadler trains in contracts worth more than €1.3 billion, including spare parts and maintenance for part of the fleet over 15 years. The original 2021 agreement covered 24 T100 units and 35 T200 trains, while a later order added another 20 of the longer version.
A further nine T100s and eight T200s are expected to be delivered during 2026, with 17 new units scheduled to be in service by the end of the year. Although the first trains are operating on Line C7, the fleet is ultimately intended primarily for the C4 and C5 corridors.
The arrival of the new Series 453 trains will also trigger a wider redistribution of rolling stock. Renfe plans to transfer 41 five-car Series 465 Civia units from Madrid to Valencia, including 22 by the end of 2026 and another 19 during 2027.
Renfe will invest €88 million refurbishing those trains before they enter service on València’s C1, C2 and C6 lines. The transfers are expected to support a 30% increase in service provision there, while older Series 447 trains currently used in the region will move onward to the Basque Country.
The Stadler rollout therefore represents more than a Madrid fleet upgrade. By combining greater capacity in the capital with cascaded trains elsewhere, Renfe is using one major procurement program to modernize commuter services across several Spanish regions while making better use of existing rail infrastructure.
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