The controversial but highly anticipated extension of Barcelona’s tram network along Avinguda Diagonal has proven its worth in its first full year of operation. Figures released this Friday regarding TramBesòs ridership for 2025 reveal a dramatic uptake in usage. Consequently, the new connection between Glòries and Verdaguer has transformed mobility patterns in the city.
The extension, which came into service in November 2024, was designed to bridge a crucial gap in the metropolitan transport grid. According to the operator, Tram, the results are emphatic. Meanwhile, while the overall network grew by nearly 12%, the specific section serving the new Diagonal route saw passenger numbers soar by more than 30%.
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TramBesòs ridership outperforms the network
The data highlights a significant disparity between the two main tram networks. This underscores the impact of the new infrastructure. While the TramBaix network experienced a steady, organic growth of 3.02% (reaching 4.69% on working days), the TramBesòs network—which integrates the new Verdaguer-Glòries section—recorded a 30.56% increase in users compared to 2024.
This surge translates to 14.7 million validated trips on the TramBesòs lines alone. The intensity of usage was particularly high on weekdays, which saw a 32.41% rise. Therefore, commuters have rapidly adopted the new route for daily travel to work and study. Weekend usage also remained strong, climbing by 17.48%.
In total, the Barcelona tram system (combining both networks) registered 39 million validations in 2025. This represents an overall year-on-year increase of 11.9%. This trend reflects a wider shift towards public transport. For example, it also saw record demand for intercity buses in Catalonia during the same period.
Line T4 and Glòries interchange lead the way
The operator attributes this success directly to the three new stops introduced at the end of 2024. Line T4, which now runs from Verdaguer to Estació de Sant Adrià de Besòs, has emerged as the primary beneficiary of the expansion.
In its first full year serving the extended route, Line T4 ridership jumped by 28.33%. This rose from 7.4 million passengers in 2024 to 9.6 million in 2025. In addition, this single line has effectively absorbed the bulk of the new demand generated by the extension.
The strategic reorganisation of the lines has also boosted the importance of key interchanges. The Glòries hub, vital for the TramBesòs network, saw validations increase by 20.23% on weekdays and over 24% on weekends. This growth coincides with the ongoing transformation of Plaça de les Glòries into a major urban park and transit center. Similarly, the Ernest Lluch interchange on the TramBaix network recorded a solid 6.2% growth on weekdays.
Future connection remains distant
Despite the clear success of this phase, the final unification of the TramBaix and TramBesòs networks remains a distant prospect. The missing link between Verdaguer and Francesc Macià is essential to create a seamless tram corridor across the entire city.
Although Barcelona City Council approved the urban planning projects for the reurbanisation of the Diagonal and the necessary water collector expansion in October, the project is currently stalled. This delay is pending budgetary confirmation. Furthermore, this delay is symptomatic of a broader pattern of chronic underinvestment in Catalan rail infrastructure. Once funding is secured and construction begins, the works are estimated to take approximately 40 months. Therefore, a fully connected tram network along the Diagonal is unlikely to become a reality before the end of the decade.
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