Metro Bilbao

Line	Terminals	Length	Stations in service	Total stations	Operator
	Etxebarri - Plentzia	33.3 km (20.7 mi)	29	29	Metro Bilbao S.A.
	Basauri - Kabiezes	22.98 km (14.28 mi)	25	25	Metro Bilbao S.A.
	Santurtzi - Mamariga	500 m (0.31 mi)	2	2	Metro Bilbao S.A.
	Matiko - Kukullaga	5.9 km (3.7 mi)	7	7	Euskotren
TOTAL		49.16 km (30.55 mi)(*)	49(*)	49(*)

(*) The section between the stations of San Inazio and Etxebarri is the same for Lines 2 and 1 with 10.39 kilometres (6.46 mi) and twelve common stations being shared.

Current Metro network, including under construction stations.

Topographic map of the Bilbao metro (in blue)

Bolueta Station (L1 and L2) constructed on a bridge above the Nervion river.

• Bolueta Station
  • Euskotren Trena: L1 (Bilbao-Donostia), L1d (Durangaldea) and L3 (Urdaibai)
  • Bizkaibus: Lines A2610, A3613, A3621, A3622, A3918, A3928 and A3929.
  • Bilbobus: Line 30 (only Sundays until 3:00pm)

Metro Bilbao signal in the Intermodal Station of San Mamés.

• Casco Viejo Station
  • Euskotren Trena: L4 (Txorierri)
  • Euskotren Tranbia
• Abando Station
  • Cercanías (C1, C2 and C3)
  • RENFE: Long distance trains
  • Euskotren Tranbia
  • FEVE : B-1 (Bilbao-Concordia / Balmaseda), R-3 (Bilbao-Concordia / Santander), R-3b (Bilbao-Concordia / Carranza) and T-1 (Transcantábrico)
  • Bizkaibus : Lines A2314, A2322, A2324, A3115, A3122, A3136, A3137, A3144, A3151, A3152, A3336, A3337, A3514, A3515, A3911, A3912, A3917 and 3925
  • Bilbobus : Lines 01, 03, 10, 26, 30, 40, 50, 56, 58, 62, 71, 72, 75, 77, 85, A1, A2, A5, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7 and G8
• San Mamés Station
  • Cercanías (C1 and C2)
  • Euskotren Tranbia
  • Termibus (Bus terminal station)
• San Inazio Station
  • Metro Bilbao: Inter-connexion between Line 1 and Line 2
  • Bilbobus : Lines 10, 13, 18 y 71

Besides this, most of the stations have connections with different bus lines. At the same time, Urbinaga Station was built with the intention of connecting lines C1 and C2 of Cercanías[7] and Ansio Station with a bus terminal.[8] However, these connection projects have not been finished as of 2011. Eventually the Urbinaga project was restarted in 2009.[9] That future intermodal station will also take advantage of the future Leioa-Urbinaga Tram.[10] Its construction was expected to start at the end of 2009.[11]

1920 project

1985 alternative 1, almost identical to the final project.

The idea of building a metro system in the city of Bilbao is an old one. In the 1920s the city's council prepared a project to build a metro system in the neighbourhoods of Abando and San Francisco. Soon after, the economic crises and the Spanish Civil War put a definitive end to the project.

In 1971 the government of Biscay, the Bilbao City Council and the Commerce Bureau created a commission to evaluate the transportation needs of Greater Bilbao. In 1976, five years later, the Biscay Transport Consortium (CTB, see Barik Card) was created. In that same year two proposals were created to start a metro service in 1985, the first of them is almost identical to the current network.

A year later a project was created to build the metro, however many objections were raised against it and disagreements between different institutions put an end to it.

In 1985 the construction plans were altered and a new project was created. Finally in 1987 the Basque Government approved the plan to build and finance the Bilbao Metro.

A metro system was deemed to be the best way to improve congestion problems in the evolving and regenerating city. The contract for the underground metro system in Bilbao was awarded to the architects Sir Norman Foster and partners in 1988 following an open competition.

The same year the first underground station was opened in Erandio, on the existing Bilbao-Plentzia railway. In 1989 construction began in the city centre, where the main Moyúa square was closed to pedestrians until 1997. Construction was especially complicated in the neighbourhoods of Deusto and San Inazio, where the cut and cover tunnel excavation damaged some buildings, was very noisy, and caused severe traffic disruptions. This method of excavation contrasted with the tunnel-boring machines used elsewhere in the city.

Moyua station, view from the ticket line

The first part of line 1 opened on 11 November 1995, with 23 stations between Casco Viejo and Plentzia. The tracks outside Bilbao were previously part of Eusko Trenbideak / Ferrocarriles Vascos (Euskotren Trena) and earlier of FEVE.

By 5 July 1997 the total number of stations was 27 as Santutxu, Basarrate and Bolueta joined Gobela which had opened the previous year.

The first line, which operates north of the River Nervión, was later joined by a second line, which operates south of the river. The two lines split at San Inazio, from where the second runs to Santurtzi. The original five stations (Gurutzeta-Cruces, Ansio, Barakaldo, Bagatza and Urbinaga) were opened on 13 April 2002. The furthest eastern point is now Etxebarri station, opened along with Sestao on 8 January 2005. Line 2 was enlarged with two new stations in Portugalete that were opened on 20 January 2007 (Abatxolo and Portugalete). Two new stations joined the Metro system on 4 July 2009 in Santurtzi: Peñota and Santurtzi stations. In 2014, the station of Kabiezes was inaugurated.

Following the commencement of works in the middle of 2009, it was inaugurated on 8 April 2017. It cost 279 million euros, significantly more than the original 153 million euro budget.[12] and was expected to transport 71,000 people according to Bilbao council. The third line has a length of 5,885 metres and has one station in Etxebarri: Kukullaga-Etxebarri, and six stations in Bilbao: Otxarkoaga, Txurdinaga, Zurbaranbarri, Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo, Uribarri and Matiko.[13]

A new station in the municipality of Getxo called "Ibarbengoa-Getxo" was expected to be open in 2010, but was delayed until early 2012, and then to 2015. It is also expected that the level crossings located in Maidagan and Urduliz will be buried.[14]

It is not expected to expand the line further from Kabiezes, despite the requests of the neighbors of the Mining Zone and Ortuella, where the parking area of the Metro units will be located.[15]

Basauri's town hall, along with the neighbouring towns, requested the construction of another station in Basauri, in the neighborhood of Sarratu. That station would work as an interchange station for different means of transportation.[16] In the last months of 2009, Metro Bilbao announced that it would consider the creation of that station in Basauri, as it would work as an intermodal station for the services of Euskotren Trena; FEVE (which only has cargo services in that location); and even with Line 5 of the metro.[17]

Zazpikaleak/Casco Viejo Station (L1, L2 and L3) entrance.

In a second phase, the third line will be expanded to Bilbao Airport, using a tunnel of double rail and with a length of 1,875 metres under Mount Artxanda.[18]

The preliminary layout of the future Line 4 (Moyúa/Rekalde) was presented on 25 January 2008. The preliminary layout suggests that Moyúa Station, which gives service to Line 1 and Line 2, will connect with Rekalde with two intermediate stations: Zabalburu (which has a suburban rail station) and Irala. There have been discussions about the ramifications of whether to connect with either Moyúa Station or Bilbao Abando Station, this is due to the fact that Rekalde did not have a Metro connection. Line 3 was planned to connect Rekalde with the rest of the city, but the final plan moved the line in another direction.[19]

The plan to add Rekalde to Line 3 was halted, and the route completely altered. This change was criticised, especially by people from Rekalde.[20] In 2009 a new layout for a new line (Line 4) was considered; this new line would connect Rekalde with Moyúa and the latter station with Deusto, taking advantage of the rail tracks of Euskotren Trena, that are in that zone. Matiko Station would be connected too. The line would then have the Plaza Euskadi Station ("Euskadi Square Station") after Moyúa and then cross the river to Deusto (Deusto Station) and a new station in the University of Deusto campus (Unibersitatea), to then reach Matiko (Line 3).[21][22]

Also on 25 January 2008 the preliminary layout for Line 5 (Etxebarri/Usansolo) was presented. This new line would connect Etxebarri with Galdakao. At first it was only planned for the line to have five stations, however the line is still on studies and may suffer major modifications.[23] Later, one more station was added, on the Bengoetxe neighbourhood on Galdakao.[24] The line was expected to begin constructed in 2012 and was expected to be finished in 2016.[25]

The stations on the preliminary layout are Etxebarri (which gives service to Line 2 and Line 1), Aperribai, Bengoetxe, Galdakao, Galdakao's Hospital, and Usansolo, where the metro will be connected with lines 1, 1d and 3 from Euskotren Trena, which operate in that station.

Once the line is finished, there are plans for the line to become an extension of Line 2 from Etxebarri Station, while Line 1 would reach the center of Basauri.[26]

The Metro Bilbao network is divided into the following fare zones:

• Zone 1  (Bilbao), from Bolueta (main line for L1 and L2) to San Inazio (main line for L1 and L2), inclusive.
• Zone 2  (Upper Nervion), Etxebarri and Ariz (main line for L1 and L2).
• Zone 2A  (Right Bank of the river), from Lutxana (Line 1) to Berango (Line 1), inclusive.
• Zone 2B  (Left Bank of the river), from Gurutzeta/Cruces (Line 2) to Kabiezes (Line 2), inclusive.
• Zone 3  (Uribe Kosta), from Larrabasterra (Line 1) to Plentzia (Line 1), inclusive.

Metro Bilbao offers special cards that are personal and cannot be transferred, with a time limit of 5 years since the date of issue.[27] They can be obtained at any of the customer service offices of Metro Bilbao (located in the stations of Ansio, Casco Viejo, San Inazio and Areeta).

• Carnet Kidea Socio (Kidea Member Card): For use with monthly tickets and Super 50 tickets.
• Carnet Gaztea Joven (Youth Gaztea Card): For use with the youth ticket, monthly ticket and Super 50 tickets.
• Carnet Hirukotrans (Hirukotrans Card): For use with the Hirukotrans ticket.
• Carnet Gizatrans (Gizatrans Card): For use with Gizatrans ticket.
• Carnet Gizatrans para familia numerosa (Gizatrans card for large families): For use with Gizatrans ticket for large families.

Underground vending machine, where tickets can be acquired.

The ticket system is closed, which means that validation of the ticket is required when entering the station and again when exiting.

There are different types of tickets, each of which has a different fare (updated as 2009):[28]

• Occasional ticket: One-way ticket. Can be transferred. Fares: 1 Zone: 1,40€; 2 Zones: 1,50€; 3 Zones: 1,60€
• Round-trip ticket: Valid for two trips (going and coming back). Can be transferred. Fares: 1 Zone: 2,80€; 2 Zones: 3€; 3 Zones: 3,20€
• Billete Día (Day Ticket): Unlimited trips the same day of the expedition of the ticket. Can be transferred. Fare: 4€ (valid in all zones).
• Billete Mensual (Month Ticket): Unlimited trips in 30 days. Personal and cannot be transferred. A "Carnet Joven" (Youth Card), "Carnet de Socio del Metro" (Metro Honorary Member Card) or "Carnet Plus" (Plus Card) is required to obtain this ticket. Fare: 1 Zone: 29,40€; 2 Zones: 35€; 3 Zones: 40,70€
• Ticket Joven (Youth Ticket): Unlimited trips in 12 months. Personal and cannot be transferred. To obtain one is needed to have less than 26 years and a Youth Card. Fares: 1 Zone: 188€; 2 Zones: 221€; 3 Zones: 255€
• Super 50: Valid for 50 trips, to be made in 30 days. Personal cand cannot be transferred. A "Carnet Joven" (Youth Card), "Carnet de Socio del Metro" (Metro Honorary Member Card) or "Carnet Plus" (Plus Card) is required to obtain this ticket. Fares: 1 Zone: 24,50€; 2 Zones: 29€; 3 Zones: 32,50€
• Billete colectivo (Groupal ticket): Valid for one trip or round trip, to be made on a specific date. Only for groups of 20 people or more. Fare: Variable.

• Combined ticket with Renfe (Uria): Valid for 10 trips. Can be transferred. Can be obtained in Abando Station and San Mames Station. The Uria ticket can be used in the following stations: Metro Bilbao: Zone A. Cercanías: Bilbao-Abando, Zabalburu Station, Ametzola Station, Autonomía Station, San Mamés Station, Olabeaga Station, Zorrotza Station, Miribilla Station and La Peña Station. The change between Renfe and Metro should be of 20 minutes or less. Fare: 9,65€.
• Combined ticket with Euskotren Trena. Valid for 10 trips, monthly or annual. Valid in the stations of Casco Viejo and Bolueta. The change between Euskotren Trena and Metro should be of 15 minutes or less.

Barik card.

• Creditrans. Valid for as many trips as the money charge (pre-paid) of the card supports. Can be transferred and used several times in the same trip. Creditrans is a pre-paid card that can be used in Metro Bilbao, Euskotren Trena, EuskoTran, FEVE, Bilbobus, Bizkaibus, Artxanda Funicular, Vizcaya Bridge, Lujua's Bus, Etxebarri Bus and Sopelbus. Fares: 1 Zone: 0,69€; 2 Zones: 0,83€; 3 Zones: 0,93€. Creditrans is the most popular and most used ticket system on Metro Bilbao and some other transportation systems.[29]
• Gizatrans (only valid for people older than 65 or some kind of physical disadvantage). Personal and cannot be transferred. It can be used in the same places as Creditrans with the exceptions of Sopelbus, FEVE and Vizcaya Bridge. Price (of a single Gizatrans card): 3€. Fares (for Metro Bilbao): 0,27€ (valid in all zones).[30]
• Hirukotrans (big families). Personal and cannot be transferred. To obtain one is needed to have a Hirukotrans Card. Only available for big families.

Creditrans, Gizatrans and Hirukotrans will no longer be issued after 31 March 2013 as they have been replaced by the Barik electronic card. Any old Creditrans with a credit on them can be used until the end of 2013.

The Metro network works from 6:00 am until 11:00 pm from Monday to Thursday, and until 2:00 am on Friday and days before festive days. There is an all night service from Saturday to Sunday, with trains each 15 minutes on the main lines and with a 30-minute frequency on the other lines. During June, July, August and September, the no-interruptions night service also works on Fridays. During "Bilbao's Great Week", there are special services every night.

During weekdays, there is a frequency of 2.5 minutes on Zone A, 5 minutes on Zone B.0, B.1 y B.2 and 18 minutes on Zone C during most of the day.

In 2007 Metro Bilbao was used by almost 86 million people, being the third most used metro in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona. Since it serves directly about 680,000 people, each citizen travels about 126 times a year. Ridership increases steadily every year, there were dramatic increases in 1998 and 2002 due to enlargement of the network, ridership is expected to reach 100 million people per year once the network is completed.

• Casco Viejo – 7,211,370
• Moyua – 6,401,254
• Indautxu – 6,279,735
• San Mames – 6,215,224
• Abando – 6,202,976
• Santutxu – 4,452,957
• Deustu – 4,171,359
• Barakaldo – 3,580,409
• Gurutzeta/Cruces – 3,519,419
• Areeta – 3,445,833[31]