The public company Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) will initiate in approximately two weeks the deployment of its plan to reinforce and expand the Alicante Tram service. The first of the 22 new units acquired, which form the basis of this initiative, is expected to arrive soon. These trams, from the 4,500 TRAMLINK series, have been commissioned by the Generalitat to Stadler Rail Valencia, a company located in Albuixech, with an investment exceeding 140 million euros.
Six of these new trains will be progressively incorporated into the Alicante Tram's operations. The first of them will begin its testing period during the summer, with the expectation of entering service after August. Its operational launch will already represent an improvement in capacity, as its 45-meter length surpasses the 32.3 meters of the current 4200 series trams, allowing it to carry 285 passengers compared to 198.
These new trams offer greater comfort, are fully accessible, and feature spacious multifunctional areas near the doors, with reserved seating for people with reduced mobility. Furthermore, they facilitate a quick and efficient passenger flow, speeding up journeys and opening up the possibility of introducing more routes and increasing frequencies in the medium term.
The scenario of increased frequencies will be feasible once the remaining five trains assigned to the Tram network are incorporated before the end of the year. It is expected that the six trains will be operating at full capacity by early 2027. Subsequently, the remaining 16 trains will join the Metrovalencia network. For the Tram, these six new vehicles will increase the rolling stock to 28 units, allowing for service reinforcement with double-composition trains during peak hours.
FGV has not yet specified which lines the new trains will be dedicated to, but it is estimated they will be for lines with the highest number of users, such as Line 2 (Alicante-San Vicente del Raspeig) or Lines 4 and 5 (Center-Beach District). The incorporation of these trams will also enable the design of future lines, which will require new construction work.
The expansion of routes is planned for the long term, as definitive projects and construction will require time. Currently, the construction of the Central Station is underway, scheduled for early 2029, a key date for the creation of future routes.
Meanwhile, FGV also plans to extend the platform at the Plaza de la Puerta del Mar stop during the upcoming autumn to allow access for the new 4500 series trams, which currently cannot fit there. This work will require a platform 75 meters long and 4.5 meters wide, as well as modifications to the track layout. The current stop has a 33-meter platform.
FGV put the contract for this adaptation work out to tender last May. The intervention, coordinated with the Alicante City Council, includes the urban renewal of the space adjacent to Paseo del Postiguet to promote pedestrian access.
