At present, the province of Cadiz has a railway network that is present in its main cities, such as Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz and Algeciras, and connects with national destinations. The commuter train service, operated by Renfe, is a popular option for travel within the province and to nearby towns.

The doubling of the railway track between Cadiz and Seville, which was executed during a couple of decades, improved the integration of the train in the cities, especially with the suburbs in cities such as Jerez, Puerto Real, San Fernando or Cadiz.

One of the main challenges facing the railroad in Cadiz is the lack of direct and efficient connections with other regions of Spain through high-speed rail.

Efforts are currently underway to improve the railroad situation in the province of Cadiz. Firstly, projects have been proposed for the expansion and modernization of the existing railway infrastructure, with the aim of increasing the speed and capacity of trains. In addition, the modernization of the line between Algeciras and Bobadilla to the Trans-European, Atlantic, Central and Mediterranean Corridors is being executed, a fundamental infrastructure for the economic take-off of the Campo de Gibraltar.

The railroad situation in the province presents significant challenges, but also opportunities to boost connectivity and economic development in the region.

Bajo de la Cabezuela railway connection work

Adif continues to make progress in the construction of the new access branch line to Bajo de la Cabezuela, in Cadiz. In May 2023 the contract was awarded for the drafting of the construction project and execution of works for the installations of traffic control, signalling, safety and fixed and mobile telecommunications systems.

These works, with an investment of 7.3 million euros, will adapt the signalling and communications systems of the railway branch to the European ERTMS standard, integrating them into the CTC (Centralised Traffic Control) system of Sevilla Santa Justa.

The construction of the railway branch line to access the Bajo de la Cabezuela dock will boost both the Bay of Cadiz’s operations and the socio-economic development of its area of influence, promoting intermodality in the transport of goods, contributing especially to the transport of bulk solids.

The construction of the new branch line will provide 4.4 km of railway access to the area of the Cabezuela dock, where the Port Authority of the Bay of Cadiz has already built a track bundle. The works, awarded for 20.4 million, are part of the agreement signed by Adif, Puertos del Estado and the then Ministry of Public Works (now Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda).

The branch line is configured with a single Iberian gauge track without electrification, with a 7-metre-wide platform and superstructure on a ballasted bed.

The works, which began in mid-2021, are part of works that contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8 (promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth); and 9 (development of reliable, sustainable, resilient and quality infrastructure). This action is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Spanish Multi-regional Operational Programme 2014-2020.

Railway: Suburban network

The suburban rail network in the province of Cádiz is a vital element for its inhabitants. Connecting cities and towns along the coast and inland, this railway system has become the heart of public transport in the region.

The Cádiz suburban train network, operated by Renfe Cercanías, consists of several lines linking the provincial capital with cities such as Jerez de la Frontera, San Fernando, El Puerto de Santa María and Algeciras, among others. It also extends inland, reaching towns such as Ubrique and Arcos de la Frontera.

One of the main advantages of this system is its efficiency. Cadiz commuter trains are known for their punctuality and frequency. This allows passengers to plan their journeys with precision and significantly reduce dependence on cars, contributing to the reduction of traffic congestion and air pollution.

The green component of the commuter network is also noteworthy. As environmental awareness grows worldwide, public transport has become a more attractive option. Cadiz’s commuter trains, largely powered by electric energy, are a sustainable alternative to car and bus transport, helping to reduce carbon emissions and promote a cleaner environment.

Another crucial aspect of the commuter network is its role in regional economic development. Efficient connectivity between cities and towns facilitates access to jobs, services and educational opportunities. It also encourages tourism by allowing visitors to easily explore the province’s cultural and natural treasures, from the golden beaches to the charming white villages of the hinterland.

However, despite its many benefits, Cadiz’s suburban rail network also faces challenges. The need to upgrade and maintain the railway infrastructure, as well as the modernisation of trains and stations, are key issues to ensure its continuity and efficiency in the future.

TrenBahía

In October 2022 the “TrenBahía”, a railway project that aims to revolutionise mobility and connectivity in the province of Cadiz, will be officially inaugurated.

The TrenBahía is presented as a transcendental milestone in the transport infrastructure of Cádiz, marking the rebirth of the railway network in the area. This project aims to meet the growing mobility needs of the inhabitants of the Bay of Cadiz, as well as to boost tourism and the local economy.

The TrenBahía has a state-of-the-art infrastructure that includes innovatively designed stations and an electrified track network to guarantee a fast and reliable service. The trains, equipped with the latest safety and comfort technologies, offer a pleasant environment for passengers.

On the first journey, the new Cadiz Bay tram left Chiclana and travelled through San Fernando at 15 km/hour.

The Trembahía, as the first case of implementation of this system in Spain, is a bimodal public transport system combining the best of trains and trams. The Public Works Agency of the Andalusian regional government has thus set up its most expensive infrastructure in the area, costing close to 270 million euros. The vehicles are designed to withstand encounters with high-performance trains, allowing them to run on the railway, reach up to 100 kilometres per hour and cut the time it takes to get from one municipality to another.

The project began to be designed two decades ago and work started 16 years ago. The technical complexity multiplied the planned investment and delayed its implementation.

The aim is to cover 234,000 Cadiz citizens with stops in four municipalities: Chiclana, San Fernando, Puerto Real and Cádiz, along 21 stations spread over 24 kilometres. It also plans to take 1.12 million vehicles out of circulation each year, which would mean 2,592 tonnes of CO2 emissions less.