Madrid metro is about to change forever – Here’s what’s going driverless first

If you travel around Madrid on the metro, especially during rush hour, Line 6 will probably feel like a familiar daily battleground – packed platforms, constant flow, little rest. Well, prepare for a very different experience in the coming years.
The Community of Madrid has confirmed that Line 6 will become fully automatic, operated without drivers, from 2027, in what will be one of the most significant upgrades to the city’s underground network in decades.

This is not just a tweak. It’s a complete modernisation project valued at €300 million, touching everything from the electric infrastructure to the technology controlling the trains, and even introducing a new fleet designed specifically for driverless operation.

A major upgrade that’s already underway

Behind the scenes, part of the transformation has already begun. During the summer, engineers completed the first phase of works along the western side of Line 6, raising the catenary voltage from 600 to 1,500 volts — a requirement for the incoming automated trains.

This involved renovating seven electrical substations in key stations such as Moncloa, Argüelles, Plaza Elíptica and Usera. The technical work was complex, but the line stayed open throughout, allowing more than 400,000 daily passengers to keep travelling.

The upgrade won’t just support automation – it will help Line 6 use around 30% less energy, improving sustainability across the network and trimming operating costs.

New trains Designed for More space and More Comfort

Running a driverless metro means bringing in entirely new trains, and those are already in motion — at least on paper.
Madrid has allocated €450 million for 40 new automatic trains, manufactured by the Spanish company CAF.

What will change for passengers?

The driver cabins disappear, meaning more space inside (up to 17% more capacity)
A quieter and smoother ride, with reduced vibration
Better air circulation and climate control
A more uniform layout from carriage to carriage, so you can walk through the whole train

This will be the largest fleet renewal since 2008, and once these trains begin rolling out, Line 6 will feel noticeably different — not just in how it runs, but how it feels to travel.

What the passenger Experience Will Look like

Once automation is fully in place, trains will arrive more frequently – around every two minutes.
Journeys are expected to be faster, with improved reliability and fewer unexpected delays. The system will also optimise energy use during quieter times of day, adapting dynamically to passenger demand.

And no – the change does not mean drivers are disappearing from the metro altogether. Staff will still be present for monitoring, safety supervision, incident response and customer support. The difference is more about how trains move, not whether people are there to ensure safety.

A Step Toward the Future of Madrid Transport

Madrid will be joining cities such as Paris and Copenhagen, where automated metro systems have been running successfully for years. The plan positions the capital at the forefront of European transit innovation, which is especially significant as passenger numbers continue to grow.

The transformation of Line 6 is expected to be gradual – phased testing, system checks, and integration – leading up to 2027, when driverless operation becomes the new normal.

For now, one thing is clear:
Line 6 is preparing for a future where your commute is faster, quieter, more efficient – and perhaps just a little bit calmer.

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