(Spain )BILBAO-L2

Bilbao
Bilbao bases its public tranport network on local railways, LRT lines and a modern tramway line.
The first metro line in Bilbao (Line 1) opened in 1995; it runs partly ground level on a dismissed railway track (Plentza-Lutxana) and partly underground (Lutxana-Etxebarri). Works are going on for an additional stop (Ibarbengoa) located between Bidezabal and Berango. The first section of Line 2 opened in 2002 (San Inazio-Urbinaga, plus San Inazio- Etxebarri section in common with Line 1); it's totally underground (except for a short section close to Urbinaga). Line 2 was extended up to Sestao (2004), Portugalete (2007) and Santurtzi (2009); there will be a further north-western extension up to Kabiezes. Both lines have been also extended along the common branch in 2005 (Bolueta-Etxebarri) and 2011 (Etxebrarri-Ariz); in 2011 Line 2 has been also extended from Ariz to Basauri, while Line 1 has been shortened at Extebarri stop.
Tramway (Line A) was re-opened in 2002, after the dismission a former system in years '50s. The 4,9 km route (12 stops) runs on a single rail track from Atxuri to Pio Baroja, and on a double track platform from Pio Baroja to Basurto. Line A has a crucial role in the integration of the different transport systems; San Mames stop it's the main hub (LRT-underground section, local trains, buses interchange), followed by Abando stop (LRT, RENFE and FEVE trains, buses) and Atxuri stop (Euskotren terminal, a local railway service which links Bilbao, Bermeo and San Sebastian). Besides many important residential and commercial areas, among the main urban polarity served by Line A, Basurto Hospital, Hacienda Foral (Regional Treasury), Industrial Engineeing Faculty and San Mames Stadium must be mentioned.
Another tram line (Tranvia UPV) should open in 2012 connecting the campus of Universidad del Pais Vasco (UPV), Leida (Metro L1 interchange stop) and Urbinaga (Metro L2 interchange stop).
Metrobilbao (official site)

CHRONOLOGY
13-04-2002	San Inazio-Urbinaga
08-01-2005	Urbinaga-Sestao
20-01-2007	Sestao-Portugalete
04-07-2009	Portugalete-Santurtzi
26-02-2011	Etxebarri-Ariz
11-11-2011	Ariz-Basauri

Country	Spain
Line	Line 2
Inhabitants	City 350.000, District 950.000
Date opening	2002
Future development:	Santurtzi-Kabiezes extension
Length (km)	23.7
Track sections	--
Stops	24 average distance m 1000
Platforms	--
Platform doors	--
General characteristics	--
n. of vehicles	37 (24 UT500, 13 UT550)
n. of cars per vehicle	4
Type	steel wheels
Vehicle dimensions (m)	length 72, width 2.80
Vehicle capacity (pax)	712 (144 seated)
Frequency	2.5'/18
Current/Voltage	1500 V DC
Type of guide/gauge	metric gauge rails (1000 mm)
Speed Km/h	Comm --, Max 80
Accel./Decel. (m/sec2)	--
System capacity	--
Ridership	90 millions pax/year
Total cost	--
Staff	--
System builder	CAF
Model	U.T. 500, U.T. 550
NOTE	rolling stock, frequency and ridership referred to Line 1+Line 2