The C-5 is one of the oldest commuter lines in the capital. Over time, it has managed to modernize and become an essential means to ensure a decent rail transport in the southwest area of Madrid. Cities as populated as Alcorcón, Fuenlabrada, Móstoles or Leganés would not have direct connection with Atocha, Embajadores and Méndez Álvaro at the same time if it were not for it.
Precisely its connection with essential interchanges of the city has as a consequence that it is one of the commuter lines with more daily passengers. In addition, with its ‘U’ shape, it circles 45 km around the Community of Madrid, following a model relatively similar to that of the L6 metro line.
It normally has a high frequency at peak hours: in the morning its trains run (if there are no incidents) every four minutes, and in the afternoons, every six or eight. On weekends, the waiting time rises to 10 minutes. Not much compared to lines such as the C-2, whose trains usually run every 20 to 30 minutes during off-peak hours.
Another plus for the C-5 can be found in its renovated stations to be more accessible. Between 2019 and 2023, Orcasitas, Atocha and Doce de Octubre underwent refurbishments that have improved their infrastructures and expanded their services for people with reduced mobility.
The Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda announced in 2023 the reform of Móstoles-El Soto, which has not been updated for more than 40 years. This will mean the arrival of new platforms, and with it longer trains (about 200 meters), in addition to four escalators and two elevators.
André Marques, rail content creator, says the C-5 should be an example to follow for other commuter lines. The concept of a semicircular route, with direct and fast links between stations, is synonymous with efficient and competitive public service.