Source: The Mayor

In an attempt to reduce street traffic, the city is incorporating the underground network into the logistics sector on a trial basis.

Madrid’s’ regional government, responsible for overseeing the city’s metro network, has announced the launch of a 3-month pilot project that will use some of the underground network for merchandise deliveries. The goal is to reduce the number of cargo vehicles on city streets, easing traffic congestion and reducing pollution.

The first phase of the project, developed in partnership with courier company GLS Spain, will involve Line 12, located in the southern part of Madrid. A designated train will be used to transport approximately 700 packages daily, operating between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM during off-peak hours.

The train will only stop at four specified stations, where it will be loaded with goods. Metro Madrid staff will oversee the packages, and the loading/unloading process will be quick, taking only three minutes to avoid disrupting regular metro services.

Stage two

In the project’s second phase, set to begin in the last quarter of the year, the same approach will be expanded to Line 3, this time with a different courier company. In this phase, 400 parcels a day will be delivered to Embajadores station, from where they will be distributed to city-centre destinations using eco-friendly methods like bicycles or foot couriers with carts.

Aligned with this project, the regional government is also working on establishing the future Logistics Agency of the Madrid Region, with the vision of turning the region into a benchmark for the distribution sector across southern Europe.