METRO BILBAO
The Metro Bilbao was officially opened in 1995 and was designed by Sir Norman Foster (Manchester, 1935), one of the most innovative and important architects of our times. His individual style has given the city one of the most recognisable architectonic landmarks: the ‘fosteritos’, which are the entrances to the various stations and are always made of glass and steel. Likewise, the inside of the metro was designed to ensure the stations were as close as possible to the surface, offering open spaces with great visibility provided by natural light.
In 1998, the Metro Bilbao received the Brunel Railway Architecture Award.
TICKETS
* Types of tickets and where to get them: Creditrans farepass can be used. 5, 10 and 15 euros-worth passes are available in most underground stations, tram stops, kiosks and tobacconists' shops.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Web: www.metrobilbao.net
Telephone: 94.425.40.25
There are customer service centres at San Inazio, Casco Viejo and Ansio stations, as well as at 17, Ibaigane street, in Las Arenas (near Areeta station).
TRAMWAY
The first tramway, the Bilbao - Las Arenas line, appeared in Vizcaya in 1872, but shortly afterwards, in 1876, it was followed by the left-bank stretch, the Bilbao - Santurtzi line. It is this line that became the first Spanish electrical stretch that we can see today: the cleanest, most silent, environment-friendly and efficient means of transport.
After a continuous development concomitant with the effects of the industrial revolution, by 1920 Bilbao's tramway network stretched over 109 km, with Arenal as the key centre of the 12 existing lines. Subsequent crises, however, led to the disappearance of the tram in 1964, replaced by the more modern trolleybus, or electric bus.
In late 2002, almost four decades after the last tram went along Bilbao's streets and after three years of remodelling works, the legendary bell began to ring again, bringing the village back into the era of modern, sustainable and environment-friendly public transportation.
The line has been gradually extended to cover an area linking Atxuri to Basurto, with a central stretch across Abandoibarra district -the new leisure area in the village- and stops in some of Bilbao's architectural landmarks, such as the Arriaga Theatre, the Guggenheim Museum, the Euskalduna Palace or the San Mamés Football Stadium.
TICKETS
* Types of tickets and where to get them: Creditrans farepass can be used. 5, 10 and 15 euros-worth passes are available in most underground stations, tram stops, kiosks and tobacconists' shops. Using Creditrans, each trip has a cost of 0.55 euros. You can also get specific Euskotran tickets from vending machines in the stops. For this type of ticket, the following options are available:
- One-way ticket: for a single trip; 1 euro
- 10 pass: for 10 discount trips for the handicapped and senior citizens with the corresponding credentials; 2.55 euros.
- Daily pass: for an unlimited number of trips in 1 day; 3 euros
* How to discount your pass: tickets have to be discounted in the machine located at the stop where you get on, since there is no way to buy or discount tickets on the tram.
FURTHER INFORMATION
www.euskotran.es
Phone number: 902.543.210
Oficina de Atención al Cliente: Atxuri station
TAXI (TAXI COMPANIES)
Name: Radio Taxi Bilbao
Address: C/ Xalbador, 1. 48002 Bilbao
Telephone: 94.444.88.88
Web: www.radiotaxibilbao.com
Name: Radio Taxi Nervión
Address: Calle Gordoniz 44 48002 Bilbao
Telephone: 94.426.90.26
Name: Tele Taxi
Address: Calle Gordoniz 44 48002 Bilbao
Telephone: 94.410.21.21
CAR RENTALS
Avis, S.A
Alameda Doctor Areilza 34
Telephone: 94.427.57.60
Fax: 94.427.60.12
www.avis.es
Alquibilbo, S.L
Calle General Eguía 20
Telephone: 94.441.20.12 / Reservas: 902.32.32.20
Fax: 94.427.38.42
E-mail: clientes@alquibilbo.com
www.alquibilbo.com
Sercolux (Chauffeur-driven car rentals)
Plaza General Latorre, 2
48012 Bilbao
Telephone: 902.27.00.09 / 629.468.800
Fax: 94.441.59.59
E-mail: sercolux@sercolux.com
Web: www.sercolux.com
Ecusicar (Chauffeur-driven car rentals)
Loiola Ander Deuna, 8A - 3B
48600 Sopelana
Telephone: 639.76.94.41
Fax: 94.676.32.66
E-mail: ecusicar_jl@hotmail.com
Eladio (Chauffeur-driven car rentals)
Calle Novia Salcedo 36
Telephone: 94.427.16.34
Fax: 94.427.59.19
E-mail: clientes@autoseladio.com
www.autoseladio.com
Source of information: Web Site of Bilbao's City Hall
