The Barcelona City Council has taken a crucial step towards establishing a continuous, high-capacity, and low-emission tram network by giving initial approval to the executive project for the tram connection between Passeig de Sant Joan and Francesc Macià on 21. October. This final phase will complete the essential link from the Baix Llobregat area to Northern Barcelonès, running through the heart of the Eixample district.

The approval by the City Council’s Urban Planning Commission (following a prior green light from the ATM for the civil works) is a major breakthrough. EPF member PTP (Association for the Promotion of Public Transport) celebrates this long-awaited consensus for a project repeatedly shown by technical studies to be the most cost-effective option for attracting users, surpassing both bus and metro, due to its capacity, low construction cost compared to metro, and its ability to unify the entire network (see PTP’s Press Release here).

Next Steps and Key Challenges:

  • Final Approval: The project is expected to receive final approval from the City Council plenary session.
  • Financing is Key: The most significant challenge is securing the necessary funding from both the Barcelona City Council and ATM (and therefore, the Generalitat) to tender and start the works on schedule. The budget allocation for 2025 is noted as insufficient for the full scope of this second phase.
  • Fleet and Stabling: The new segment will increase demand, requiring the acquisition of more tram units and sufficient stabling/ maneuvering space to guarantee the necessary frequency and capacity once the connection is open.
  • Bus Network Optimization: After the tram connection is operational, a selective restructuring of coincident bus lines on Diagonal Avenue will be necessary. This will eliminate redundant sections while maintaining essential existing connections, freeing up buses to reinforce frequencies and/ or extend coverage on other city corridors.

The first phase (Glòries – Verdaguer) is already in service, providing real alternatives to private vehicles. The full connection is estimated to reduce travel time between Glòries and Francesc Macià to around 15 minutes, improving intermodality with the metro and buses. PTP urges all administrations to move swiftly to finalize the financing and construction timeline.

A brief overview of the process until now – and PTP’s role in it:

  • 1996: Pilot test on Diagonal Avenue
  • 1999: “Tramvia interruptus”: PTP raised concerns about the project’s stagnation and the initial plan’s cancellation
  • 2001: ATM tenders the two separate tram networks (Trambaix and Trambesòs)
  • 2005-2009: PTP conducts a study on the urban and transport reform of central Diagonal Avenue
  • 2009-2014: “Diagonal per a tothom” (Diagonal for everyone) movement/ campaign is launched
  • 2012-2013: Political decisions halt progress on the tram connection
  • 2015: PTP conducts a study on the public transport improvement benefits of the completed tram connection
  • 2017: PTP releases a Cost-Benefit Analysis for the final connection of the tram via Diagonal
  • 2018: PTP launches the “Unim els tramvies” (Let’s link the trams) campaign
  • 2021: PTP continues to advocate for the tram connection
  • 2022: Works begin on the first phase of the Diagonal connection (Glòries – Verdaguer)
  • 2023: City Council presents a new design for the Glòries section that is poorly received by PTP
  • 2024: PTP files objections to the new Glòries section design
  • 10/11/2024: The first phase of the Diagonal connection (Glòries – Verdaguer) begins commercial service
  • 23/01/2025: The City Council finalises the disputed Glòries design
  • 21/10/2025: Initial approval of the project for the next phase of the connection (Verdaguer–Francesc Macià) is set to approval at the City Council
  • Final completion of the entire connection is expected around 2028