Bombardier Marks a Quarter Century of Rail Control Excellence in Bilbao

Bombardier was awarded its first order for the Spanish city in 1992 when it was contracted to deliver its BOMBARDIER CITYFLO 350 rail control solution for efficient, safe services on the city’s new metro system. Phase one of the first line opened in 1995, and since then, both companies have enjoyed a successful relationship to the advantage of Bilbao’s passengers.

This recent upgrade project for Urdiliz station, awarded in 2015, was carried out under an infrastructure improvement programme led by Biscay Transport Consortium. The project saw the station’s rail control system updated from relay-based technology to a computer-based system which increased operational efficiency and capacity while maintaining safety. In addition, the project has improved traffic flow above ground by replacing Bilbao Metro’s last level crossing with a new underground section.

As part of its footprint in Spain, Bombardier has a strong presence in Bilbao where its Trápaga factory, recognised as one of the most advanced railway engineering centres globally, produces propulsion systems for rail projects worldwide. The CITYFLO solution installed on Bilbao Metro Lines 1 and 2 has been developed and delivered by Bombardier Transportation’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Rail Control located in San Sebastian de los Reyes (Madrid), one of Bombardier’s network of global CoEs for rail control technology.