The public company Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV), responsible for operating Alicante’s urban tram network TRAM d’Alacant, is beginning to implement a plan to improve and expand this service.
Work will begin within two weeks, when the arrival of the first of the new trams is expected. These vehicles are the cornerstone of the plan.
This is one of the 22 new units purchased for TRAM d’Alacant and Metrovalencia, ordered by the Valencian Community government for more than 140 million euros.
Six new units will be gradually introduced into the TRAM d’Alacant network
At least six of these 22 new series 4500 TRAMLINK trains will be gradually introduced into the tram network.
The first of them will begin testing this summer and is expected to enter service after August.
This will be the first step towards increasing capacity, as its dimensions exceed those of the current series 4200 trains and, therefore, it will be able to carry more passengers.
For visitors to the city, improved tram connections are especially important: TRAM d’Alacant helps passengers reach not only Alicante’s neighbourhoods, but also popular destinations along the coast. More information about transport can be found in the guide to Alicante Airport, the terminal and city connections.
The new trams will be longer and more spacious
These new units are 45 metres long, allowing them to offer 285 places compared with 198 in the series 4200 trams.
In addition, they have extra advantages – such as full accessibility for people with reduced mobility and spacious multifunctional areas next to the doors.
Above all, however, they ensure a fast and efficient flow of passengers when boarding and alighting, which speeds up operations.
Ultimately, this opens the possibility of adding extra services during the day. In other words, in the medium term – an increase in service frequency.
All six trains should be fully operational in 2027
This scenario will become possible once the remaining five trains are introduced into the TRAM network by the end of this year.
Thus, all six trains are expected to be able to operate at full capacity in early 2027.
At that point, the remaining 16 trains will join the Metrovalencia network to begin their own testing and running-in period.
Alicante’s tram fleet will expand to 28 units
As for the TRAM network, the six new units will increase the tram fleet to 28 vehicles.
This leads to the second improvement planned for the short term: the possibility of improving the service by running two trains together during periods when demand usually peaks – such as the start and end of the working day or university classes at the University of Alicante (UA).
At the moment, FGV has not specified exactly which lines these six new trains will operate on, although everything suggests that they will be reserved for the lines with the highest passenger numbers: 2, 4 and 5.
The entry into service of the new trams will also make it possible to develop plans for future lines, which still have to be defined and implemented through the necessary construction works.
The Central Station will be a condition for future expansion
At present, construction is underway on the Central Station next to the Adif railway terminal, which is also a necessary condition for expanding the network’s capacity.
The completion of construction works is scheduled for early 2029, so the creation of future routes depends on this date.
For tourists, the development of public transport makes the city even more convenient for short trips, walks around the centre and routes to the sea. The main ideas for discovering the city are collected in the Alicante guide.
The Puerta del Mar stop will be adapted for the new units
Meanwhile, FGV also plans to begin work this coming autumn to extend the platform at the Plaza de la Puerta del Mar stop in order to provide access for the new series 4500 trams.
This requires a platform at least 75 metres long and 4.5 metres wide, as well as changes to the track layout to adapt it to the new configuration.
In May this year, FGV put these works out to tender for more than 3 million euros, with an execution period of eight months.
The project cost includes the improvement of the area where the car park adjacent to Paseo del Postiguet is located.
This is a joint initiative with Alicante City Council aimed at creating more pedestrian-friendly conditions in the area.
The Puerta del Mar area is important not only for transport, but also for tourist routes: the promenade, the port, Postiguet beach and Alicante’s main attractions are located nearby. For those planning to combine tram trips with seaside relaxation, the overview of the best beaches in Alicante will also be useful.
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