# Madrid Metro Line 6 driverless upgrade advances > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/madrid-accountbased-ticketing-rollout > Updated: 2026-07-31T10:06:04.000Z. Sources: 47. Developments: 21. Since the July 2026 budget, the €800 million modernization of Line 6 has moved forward. Molins is supplying over seven million kg of high‑strength mortar to reinforce tunnel supports, while the regional government has earmarked €13.2 million to replace 163 km of rail with 9,050 new 18‑m bars and €3.2 million for spare parts. CAF is delivering 48 driverless trains, 109 m long and 1,385 seats, offering a 33 % speed boost and 20 % lower energy use; test runs are slated for summer 2026 with full automation expected by 2027. Community President Isabel Díaz Ayuso has said current drivers will be reassigned within the network. A sector conference chaired by transport minister Óscar Puente is scheduled for 28 July in Madrid. The meeting will address the climate‑social plan, the Sustainable Mobility Law and the single‑ticket programme, fulfilling a July commitment and attracting participation from regions governed by the Partido Popular. It follows a dispute in which the Community of Madrid, after a legal challenge, is seeking detailed information on regional transport investments, including the commuter‑rail plan labeled a “disaster”, state‑road projects, medium‑ and high‑speed rail initiatives, and a proposed high‑speed link to Barajas airport. Meanwhile, the municipal transport company EMT has added 40 newly trained bus drivers, bringing 2026 hires to 220 and total hires since 2019 to 2,372, supporting the Madrid 360 sustainability strategy. To accommodate the driverless fleet, 30 older Series 8000 trains will be transferred from Line 6 to Line 9, with €15 million allocated for signaling upgrades, and roughly 200 operators will be retrained for new roles, with no job losses expected. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Madrid starts Bus‑VAO pilot on A‑2 corridor to speed intercity buses Madrid launches a Bus‑VAO pilot on the A‑2 corridor for three intercity lines, while Metro de Madrid suspends parts of Lines 6 and 7 for summer upgrades. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-starts-busvao-pilot-on-a2-corridor-to-speed-intercity-buses ### 2026-07-16: Madrid expands bus driver workforce and reallocates metro trains for driverless line Madrid adds 40 bus drivers and prepares for driverless trains on Line 6, moving older trains to Line 9 and retraining staff. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-expands-bus-driver-workforce-and-reallocates-metro-trains-for-driverless-line ### 2026-07-15: Spain's Transport Ministry schedules sector conference in Madrid Spain's Transport Ministry will hold a sector conference in Madrid on 28 July, covering climate, mobility law reforms and ticketing, amid a dispute with the Community of Madrid over investment transparency. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spains-transport-ministry-schedules-sector-conference-in-madrid ### 2026-07-12: Madrid Metro Line 6 modernization gains momentum with track renewal, automation and safety upgrades Madrid Metro’s Line 6 is being overhauled with track renewal, 7 million kg of high‑strength mortar, €13 million for rails, and CAF driverless trains slated for 2027, with job reassignment promised. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-metro-advances-automation-with-800-million-line-upgrade-and-13-million-track-renewal ### 2026-07-10: Madrid region funds drainage upgrade in Arroyomolinos and Metro track renewal Madrid region spent €609,729 on a new drainage collector in Arroyomolinos and €13.2 million to renew 163 km of Metro track, improving flood protection and rail safety for its millions of residents. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-region-funds-drainage-upgrade-in-arroyomolinos-and-metro-track-renewal ### 2026-07-08: Madrid approves 880‑million‑euro extension of Metro Line 11 Madrid will spend 880 million euros to extend Metro Line 11 by 7.2 km, adding four stations and improving links to key districts and the airport. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-approves-880millioneuro-extension-of-metro-line-11 ### 2026-06-24: Madrid advances Cercanías extension to Navalcarnero and Metro Line 11 upgrade Madrid will fund a feasibility study for a Cercanías link between Móstoles and Navalcarnero and invest €104 million to equip new stations on the expanding Metro Line 11. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-advances-cercanas-extension-to-navalcarnero-and-metro-line-11-upgrade ### 2026-06-24: Madrid drives interregional transport cooperation with Alicante and other Spanish regions Madrid's transport leaders meet Alicante to share mobility plans and push a co‑financing scheme, with five regions backing the discount deal and Galicia objecting. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-drives-interregional-transport-cooperation-with-alicante-and-other-spanish-regions ### 2026-06-23: JCB Contactless Payment Launched Across Madrid Metro Network JCB has launched its Contactless payment system on Madrid’s 303‑station Metro, allowing card‑ and mobile‑wallet taps at fare gates from June 2026 to speed access for its 181 million members. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jcb-contactless-payment-launched-across-madrid-metro-network ### 2026-06-20: Madrid unveils Southwest highway plan and Metro turnstile upgrade Madrid proposes a 41‑km Southwest highway to ease traffic for 100,000 residents and has completed the first phase of Metro turnstile upgrades, installing 419 new devices at 30 stations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-unveils-southwest-highway-plan-and-metro-turnstile-upgrade ### 2026-06-19: Madrid transport cards have ten‑year expiry, users warned Madrid’s public transport cards expire after five to ten years; users can check dates via the official app and renew cards for €4 up to two months before expiry. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-transport-cards-have-tenyear-expiry-users-warned ### 2026-06-18: Madrid transport discount tied to municipal registration sparks political clash Alcorcón residents say mandatory municipal registration blocks transport discounts for vulnerable groups, while Madrid's Assembly sees a heated debate, with Ayuso defending the rule that could affect ~200,000 r 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-transport-discount-tied-to-municipal-registration-sparks-political-clash ### 2026-06-17: Madrid and Cáceres regions advance student transport subsidies and housing proposals Madrid's transport consortium proposed agreements to extend subsidised travel cards to out‑of‑region students, while Cáceres' Assembly urged using the Laboral university campus to provide public housing for its 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-and-cceres-regions-advance-student-transport-subsidies-and-housing-proposals ### 2026-06-16: Madrid transport subsidies limited to residents with proof of registration Madrid now requires proof of residence for public transport card subsidies, prompting criticism from the central government and opposition parties; an exemption for non‑resident students was later announced. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-transport-subsidies-limited-to-residents-with-proof-of-registration ### 2026-06-15: Madrid's transport card policy requires residency, sparking political dispute Madrid now requires residency to issue its public transport card, affecting ~200,000 non‑residents. Ayuso says it ensures fair funding, while opposition brands it discriminatory and seeks repeal. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-mandates-residency-proof-for-new-public-transport-cards ### 2026-06-12: Madrid limits public‑transport card issuance to residents, affecting 200,000 users Madrid will require proof of residence for new and renewed public‑transport cards from 15 June, affecting over 200,000 users, mainly young foreigners, with an exemption for family‑large cardholders. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-mandates-residency-proof-for-public-transport-card ### 2026-06-12: Madrid limits public transport card to registered residents Madrid will require proof of residence for new or duplicate public transport cards, limiting issuance to local registrants and affecting roughly 3.4% of users. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-limits-public-transport-card-to-registered-residents ### 2026-06-11: Madrid region and Colmenar Viejo set 2027 budget priorities with €180 million investment boost Madrid's regional government prepares a 2027 budget focused on social spending and transport, while Colmenar Viejo outlines a €180 million investment plan for schools, health and infrastructure. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-region-and-colmenar-viejo-set-2027-budget-priorities-with-180-million-investment-boost ### 2026-06-04: Madrid and Aragon roll out new subsidies for transport services and student mobility Madrid launches €600k subsidies for adapted taxis, while Aragon opens €600k Erasmus+ scholarships; Madrid also allocates €6 m to aid 5,500 university students for 2026‑27. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-and-aragon-roll-out-new-subsidies-for-transport-services-and-student-mobility ### 2026-05-31: Madrid to launch account‑based ticketing system for public transport Madrid approved a €2.7 million contract to implement account‑based ticketing for Metro, buses and Cercanías, with Indra upgrading 1,200 readers at 800 turnstiles ahead of a 2027 rollout. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-to-launch-accountbased-ticketing-system-for-public-transport ### 2026-05-29: Community of Madrid allocates millions to senior care and digital transport ticketing Madrid earmarks €7 million for senior‑care facilities in Las Cañadas and a €2.7 million contract to pilot mobile and card payments across its public‑transport network. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/community-of-madrid-allocates-millions-to-senior-care-and-digital-transport-ticketing --- Cite as: Madrid Metro Line 6 driverless upgrade advances. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/madrid-accountbased-ticketing-rollout