Municipal, Basque Government, and state institutional representatives yesterday tested the operation of the new C-5 commuter line. This rail shuttle service between Karrantza and Aranguren began operating on Wednesday on an electrified track. The Minister of Sustainable Mobility emphasized that, “thanks to this, the valley and Enkarterri are better connected to Bizkaia through sustainable public transport”.
This service involves an annual investment of 900,000 euros from Lakua and aims to “equalize rights and opportunities” for residents in one of the areas “least accessible due to its orography”.
At Aranguren station, the host mayor highlighted the vital importance of “improving accessibility and services throughout the western part of our region”. Furthermore, this connection “benefits people from that area, allowing them to travel to commerce or hospitality” in Zalla or “connect with Bizkaibus services”. The mayor of Artzentales also mentioned the benefits, recalling “the time we have been working” on both this aspect and the safety of level crossings along the route.
At the end of the journey at Ambasaguas station in Karrantza, they were received by the mayor of Karrantza. He expressed gratitude for “the effort” and the launch of a line that passes through towns totaling over 12,000 inhabitants, including the Cantabrian Valle de Villaverde, “given the very poor situation we are coming from”.
“"There is still much room for improvement. For example, the journey time of almost an hour and three quarters to reach Bilbao is excessive; the first direct train in the morning arrives at La Concordia later, and the last one leaves the capital around 7:00 PM."
Finally, he recalled that “citizen activation yields results and is more necessary than ever”. In this regard, “we cannot forget the work done by the platform that has channeled protests for years,” noted a member of that group.
