Line 9 (Madrid Metro)

Line 9 of the Madrid Metro opened on 31 January 1980 between Sainz de Baranda and Pavones. Later it was extended from Avenida de América to Herrera Oria on 3 June 1983, however this section was separate from the original section until the missing part from Avenida De América to Sainz De Baranda was opened on 24 February 1986. On 1 December 1998, the line was extended from Pavones to Puerta De Arganda. At Puerta De Arganda, an island platform was built, so passengers who required to use line 9B could do so by just crossing to the other side. Line 9B is the mostly service section from Puerta De Arganda to Arganda del Rey, which runs through mostly unpopulated areas connecting the three towns of Rivas, La Poveda and Arganda. The line runs with only two car trains and at longer intervals. The line in parts is very scenic, running through Spanish desert between the towns. Rivas Urbanizaciones and Arganda Del Rey are underground with large island platforms, and Rivas Vaciamadrid and La Poveda are surface stations with side platforms. Line 9 has many plans for the future, however a station called Rivas Futura is the only one actually being built at this time. It is due to open in 2008 between Rivas Urbanizaciones and Rivas Vaciamadrid, this station will be a surface station. The proposed plans show the line should be extended north from Herrera Oria to Mirasierra, with a station called El Sacarel between. Also, between Puerta De Arganda and Rivas Urbanizaciones, the are three stations under planning. These stations shall be built when proposed building up of the current desert has finished, so a date for any of these stations is unknown. Line 9 uses mostly class 6000, however sometimes series 5000, 7000 and two series 8000 coupled together have been seen to run on this line.