Euskotren steps up services and investment in Basque rail

Eusko Trenbideak – Ferrocarriles Vascos SA, better known as Euskotren, is accelerating investment in new trains, infrastructure and heritage projects across the Basque Country as passenger demand for sustainable regional rail services continues to increase.

New trains to boost capacity on the Topo suburban corridor

Recent information from the company indicates that Euskotren has begun receiving a new batch of electric multiple units designed to reinforce services on the so called Topo suburban line in Donostialdea. The first of five trains ordered from rolling stock manufacturer CAF has already arrived at the operator’s Araso workshops in Irun, with the remaining units scheduled for delivery during the second half of 2026.

The additional trains are intended to accommodate an expected rise in ridership once new infrastructure on the Topo corridor is fully opened in and around San Sebastián, including upgraded alignments between Altza and Galtzaraborda. Publicly available data suggests the order is valued at more than 50 million euros and will bring Euskotren’s total fleet to around 67 trains once deliveries are complete.

According to published coverage, the new trains are being specified with a focus on accessibility, safety and passenger comfort, including wide doors, open interiors and enhanced information systems. The units are expected to be deployed on both everyday commuter services and special event operations to support cultural, sporting and festive activities that attract heavy demand across Gipuzkoa.

Transport planning documents from the Basque administration frame the investment as part of a broader transition toward cleaner mobility, with rail positioned as a backbone for regional travel. The extra capacity on the Topo line is seen as a key element in that strategy, particularly as new stations and tunnel sections come into service over the next few years.

Service changes and new infrastructure around San Sebastián

Alongside new rolling stock, Euskotren and the Basque railway infrastructure manager Euskal Trenbide Sarea are reshaping operations on the Topo corridor. Government notices report that a new rail variant between Altza and Galtzaraborda is scheduled to open to passenger traffic on 18 July 2026, following a period of test runs by Euskotren trains without passengers.

Once the new section is operational, the regional mobility department plans to double service frequency at Altza and Pasaia stations. Public announcements state that this will be achieved by reorganising timetables and using the upgraded infrastructure to reduce conflicts, giving communities along the eastern fringe of San Sebastián more frequent and reliable trains.

In parallel, changes are being introduced to the platforms used by Euskotren services between Hendaye and Pasaia. Infrastructure bulletins explain that train movements on this part of the network are being adjusted so that traffic runs on the left hand track, aligning the Topo line with other Basque routes where left running is standard. The modification is being phased in station by station and is planned to extend toward Amara during 2026.

Project descriptions emphasise that these operational changes are intended to simplify the network layout, improve safety and provide a more consistent experience for passengers. They also underline the increasingly cross border role of Euskotren services, which link coastal communities in Gipuzkoa with the French town of Hendaye and offer connections into wider national and international rail networks.

Tramway expansion and multimodal connections in Vitoria Gasteiz

Beyond the San Sebastián area, Euskotren is preparing new capacity on the tramway system in Vitoria Gasteiz. In early 2026 the operator and CAF signed a contract for nine extra long tram units to serve the growing residential district of Zabalgana, building on recent extensions of the tram network westward from the city centre.

Company statements show that the package includes not only the vehicles themselves but also spare parts and a modern driving simulator to support training and operations. The new trams are expected to increase capacity on some of the busiest routes into Vitoria Gasteiz, offering longer formations while maintaining low floor access across the network.

Regional planning documents present the tram expansion as part of a multimodal approach to urban mobility, with Euskotren services interfacing with buses, park and ride sites and interurban rail. Public data from sustainability reports indicates that tram and rail operations in the Basque Country are being monitored for energy intensity, with recent figures suggesting gradual improvements in efficiency as fleets are renewed.

The investment in Zabalgana is also framed within a wider effort to align transport projects with climate and liveability goals. Authorities have highlighted the role of high capacity electric public transport in reducing car dependence in regional capitals such as Vitoria Gasteiz, where population growth in new neighbourhoods is putting pressure on existing road infrastructure.

Heritage, tourism and the Basque Railway Museum

Euskotren is coupling network modernisation with a visible commitment to railway heritage and tourism. During 2026 the operator is coordinating celebrations for the centenary of the Larreineta funicular in Trapagaran, a steep hillside line that links the neighbourhoods of Larreineta and La Arboleda in the mining area above the Nervión estuary.

According to company notices, both funicular cars are being fully refurbished so the line can continue providing daily public transport while also acting as a visitor attraction during its anniversary year. The project includes interior and exterior upgrades intended to preserve the historic character of the vehicles while improving comfort and accessibility for regular users.

At the same time, progress is being reported on the development of new premises for the Basque Railway Museum at the former Lutxana station in Barakaldo. Infrastructure updates describe how the old station building on the former La Robla route is being adapted for mixed use, combining museum facilities with continued operation as a commuter rail stop.

The future Euskotren Museoa site is positioned close to active tracks used by both the state rail operator and the regional network, giving visitors direct exposure to contemporary and historic rail operations. The project is presented in regional plans as a way to connect industrial heritage, educational outreach and everyday mobility in one location.

Future connections and the role of Euskotren in Basque mobility

Looking ahead, Euskotren is expected to play a central role in several strategic infrastructure schemes that seek to knit together different parts of the Basque Country. Publications from the infrastructure manager show that work is advancing on Bilbao Metro Line 5 between Basauri and the Usansolo hospital, with a future link planned to connect this corridor with Euskotren services arriving from Busturialdea and Durangaldea.

Financial and impact reports from the Basque administration indicate that significant volumes of sustainable bond funding have been channelled into clean transportation projects, including the supply of new train units and the construction of additional railway infrastructure used by Euskotren. These documents also record strong growth in passenger numbers in recent years, suggesting that investment in regional rail is being matched by rising demand.

Network statements and cross border planning materials underline how the metric gauge routes operated by Euskotren are integrated with infrastructure managed by Euskal Trenbide Sarea and connected at key junctions to the broader Spanish rail system. This integration provides passengers with options ranging from short urban trips to longer journeys that involve transfers onto Iberian gauge or high speed services.

Together, these developments illustrate how Eusko Trenbideak is moving beyond a purely local commuter role to become a central pillar of wider Basque mobility policy. Through a combination of new trains, upgraded lines, expanded tramways and carefully curated heritage projects, the operator is positioning its network as both an everyday transport solution and a distinctive element of the region’s identity.