| Granada Metro[1] | |
| Imagesize2: | 300px |
| Native Name: | Metro de Granada – Metropolitano de Granada |
| Owner: | Autonomous Government of Andalusia |
| Locale: | Granada, Andalusia, Spain |
| Transit Type: | Light rail/Tramway |
| Lines: | 1 |
| Stations: | 26 |
| Ridership: | 35,634 (weekdays)[2] |
| Annual Ridership: | 11.7 million (2019) |
| Began Operation: | 21 September 2017 |
| Operator: | Metro De Granada – Junta de Andalucía |
| Vehicles: | 15 CAF Urbos light rail vehicles[3] |
| System Length: | 15.921NaN1 |
The Granada Metro (Metro de Granada in Spanish) is a single light rail line in the city of Granada, Spain and its metropolitan area. It crosses Granada and covers the towns of Albolote, Maracena and Armilla,[4] with underground sections in central Granada and overground sections elsewhere.[5] The line opened on 21 September 2017,[6] and serves 26 stations, of which 3 stations in central Granada are underground.
Construction of the line began in 2007.[7] The metro was initially planned to open in early 2012, and by May 2011 the line was 73% completed. However, funding ran out as a result of the Spanish economic crisis, with only 250 million of the estimated 502 million euros total cost available. In 2012, the remaining funds were secured through a 260 million loan from the European Investment Bank. and the planned date of completion was moved to early 2014. However, further delays resulted in a shortfall in funding, which was only resolved on 1 July 2014.
The metro finally opened at noon on 21 September 2017.[8]
Owing to the higher than expected ridership and success of the metro, extensions are proposed on the existing line; westward from Armilla splitting into two branches to Cúllar Vega and another to Alhendín, and northwest from Albolote to Pinos Puente and/or Atarfe and Santa Fe.[9] New lines from Granada city centre to Peligros, Ogíjares and Federico García Lorca Granada Airport are also proposed.[10]