On Monday, the first units of the new trains forMadrid’s commuter rail network entered service. In total, Renfe has contracted for 79 high-capacity cars from the Swiss manufacturer Stadler, worth 1,306 million euros, which will be gradually added to the commuter rail fleet.
So far, five cars have entered service in Madrid, and more trains will continue to be delivered: a total of nine T100-model cars and eight T200-model cars by the end of 2026. Deliveries will continue on a monthly basis until all 79 cars purchased by Renfe are added to the fleet. This marks the first renewal of the commuter train fleet in nearly two decades.
This operation is part of a nationwide rolling stock renewal plan for which Renfe anticipates an investment of 3,500 million euros. The Madrid network was the first to receive and put the new models into service, with which it aims to increase the capacity of its fleet— the most congested in the country— by 20%.
The features of the new commuter trains
The new trains, which can reach speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour, come in two models: the T100 and the T200. These units have the highest capacity in the commuter rail fleet: 912 seats for the T100 trains and 1,884 for the T200 trains.
Both models can be extended in length to adapt to network demand. While the T100s are about 100 meters long and can be extended up to 120 meters, the T200s, which are 200 meters long, can be extended up to 240 meters.
In addition, T200 trains can be shortened to 160 meters and consist of up to 10 cars. Since their introduction, they have become the largest single-formation units in Renfe’s entire fleet: they combine four low-floor cars and four double-decker cars.
The new models are Iberian gauge, that is, the standard track gauge in Spain and Portugal, which is wider than the international gauge used in most European countries. According to information provided by Renfe, they are also equipped with CCTV surveillance systems, passenger information systems, and heating, air conditioning, and thermal insulation.
The T100 and T200 models also feature accessible entry and space for passengers with reduced mobility. In this regard, 6 of the 10 doors on the T100 trains and 12 of the 20 doors on the T200 trains have no steps but rather platform-level entrances, designed to reduce the time it takes for passengers to board and disembark. They also feature areas for strollers and bicycles, with a capacity of up to 6 bicycles on the T100 and 18 on the T200, as well as USB charging ports and power outlets at the seats.