EuskoTran in Bilbao, Spain on grassed track

Street track

EuskoTran ("BasqueTram") is the name of the metre gauge tramway system in Bilbao, Spain. Built in 2002 as a complement to the Bilbao metro, it is often described as the most modern public transport system in the world. The trams travel at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph) but do not make much more noise than a car. The grass covered tracks (as seen in the photo) run along the Nervion river, past the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum and San Mamés stadium. Each 25 m (82 ft) long tram can carry 192 people, 50 of them seated (about the capacity of three buses). Access to the trams is at platform level, making it easy for handicapped passengers to get on and off through the tram's eight doors. Speakers in the trams play music and announce each stop. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image taken by User:Leland on 2 May 04. ... Image taken by User:Leland on 2 May 04. ... Tram tracks are used on tramways, which, together with points, and grooved rails guide tramcars without the need for steering and make street running feasable. ... Image File history File links Tranbia. ... Image File history File links Tranbia. ... Narrow-gauge railways are railroads (railways) with track spaced at less than the standard gauge of 4 ft 8½ in (1. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... La Muy Noble y Muy Leal e Invicta (The most noble and most loyal and undefeated) Location Location of Bilbao in Spain and Biscay Coordinates : 43,15° n. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... The contract for the underground metro system in Bilbao, Spain was awarded to architects Sir Norman Foster and partners in 1988 following an open competition as metro was decided to be the best method to improve congestion problems in the evolving and regenerating city. ... Tram tracks are used on tramways, which, together with points, and grooved rails guide tramcars without the need for steering and make street running feasable. ... The river Nervión runs through the city of Bilbao, Spain into the Bay of Biscay. ... The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, along the Nervión River in downtown Bilbao The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a modern art museum located in Bilbao, Spain. ... Estadio San Mamés is a football stadium in Bilbao, Spain. ...

The system is currently 4.4 kilometers (3 mi) in length and runs from Basurto to Atxuri. There are 12 stops along the line, and the end-to-end journey takes 15 minutes. It is covered by the Creditrans pre-paid travelcard scheme for local public transport. Atxuri station, EuskoTren. ... Creditrans card. ...

Future plans envisage extending the system by connecting the two end stations, turning the system into a complete loop around the city centre. Further expansion will also see lines extending both eastward and westward along the river.

Many Bilbao people initially considered the new system to be a public-image exercise, since it was no cheaper to ride than the metro. At first, before the line was fully operational, it was not uncommon to see nearly empty trams. However, patronage has increased steadily and the trams offer excellent sightseeing possibilities for visitors wanting to see "the new Bilbao". A rapid transit, underground, subway, tube, elevated, or metro(politan) system is a railway — usually in an urban area — with a high capacity and frequency of service, and grade separation from other traffic. ... A tourist boat travels the River Seine in Paris, France Tourism can be defined as the act of travel for the purpose of recreation, and the provision of services for this act. ...

Bilbao had had trams (also metre gauge) before – horse-drawn from 1876 and electrically powered from 1896 – but they had all gone by the end of 1964, gradually replaced from 1940 by a system of trolleybuses, which were themselves to disappear by 1978. 1876 (MDCCCLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Year 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar). ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Å koda 14 Tr trolleybus in Vilnius, Lithuania. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ...

External links

• EuskoTran website