Residents of Madrid and its suburbs will face a major challenge at the end of November: three commuter train lines—C-2, C-7, and C-8—will be temporarily suspended on a key stretch between Azuqueca and San Fernando de Henares. The reason is large-scale upgrades to the railway signaling system, aimed at increasing the route’s capacity and reliability for the thousands of daily passengers.
From November 22 to 29, the usual train routes will be unavailable, and nearly two thousand special buses will hit the rails as an alternative. Organizers promise the replacement transport will run at different intervals depending on the day of the week and time of day. However, passengers should expect longer travel times, crowded buses, and possible delays, especially during the morning and evening rush hours.
Three stages of closure: what passengers need to know
For the first three days—from November 22 to 24—train service will be completely suspended between Azuqueca and San Fernando. This means major stations like Alcalá de Henares, La Garena, Soto del Henares, and Torrejón de Ardoz will be closed. Trains will only run between Chamartín and San Fernando, with buses covering the rest of the route. Some bus routes will stop at every closed station, while others will travel directly to save time.
The second phase, from November 25 to 27, will impose further restrictions on rail service: trains will run only between Chamartín and Torrejón de Ardoz. Residents of Alcalá, the university campus, and Meco will have to rely entirely on bus transport. On weekdays, buses will operate every 6 to 20 minutes. Organizers advise checking the schedule in advance and allowing extra travel time, especially in the morning.
On the last two days, November 28 and 29, trains will not operate between Azuqueca and Alcalá de Henares. Service from Alcalá to Chamartín will resume, while the closed section will once again be serviced by buses, running every 10–30 minutes depending on the direction.
Alternative routes and additional options
For those traveling from Guadalajara, a special shuttle train will operate between Guadalajara and Azuqueca with 15-minute intervals. Civis express trains will depart from different stations: on November 24 — San Fernando, from November 25 to 27 — Torrejón, and on November 28 — Alcalá. On weekdays, they will run once an hour.
Traveling by bus between San Fernando and Azuqueca will take at least half an hour, and routes passing through La Garena, Alcalá, or Meco will require more time. In addition to the special buses, passengers can use urban and intercity routes such as EMT 223, 224, 251, 252, and 824, which connect Torrejón and Alcalá with other areas.
Be prepared for changes: passenger tips
If you’re planning trips during the last week of November, take a close look at new routes and schedules. Peak hours may bring queues and delays, and familiar routes could be temporarily closed. Organizers promise that, once the work is completed, the system will be modernized and more reliable. However, the coming seven days will be a real test for everyone accustomed to the stable operation of Madrid’s commuter trains.
