Barcelona tramway deploys Alstom APS catenary-free tech

Barcelona’s tramway has made the first Spanish deployment of Alstom‘s APS catenary-free technology, enhancing the city’s sustainable transport infrastructure.

The technology was installed on a new 2km extension, expected to carry an additional 24,000 passengers daily.

This development aligns with Barcelona’s broader strategy for eco-friendly, accessible, and equitable urban development.

The Barcelona Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM) has launched the commercial service of this extension, utilising Alstom’s APS system.

This technology, managed by Alstom’s teams in Madrid and Barcelona, allows trams to operate without overhead catenary wires, maintaining performance while enhancing the urban landscape.

The APS system operates through a third conductor rail installed on the track, powering the trams in segmented sections that activate and deactivate as the tram passes.