BARCELONA: November 01, 2018. SEAT has renewed a contract with Autometro for rail services carrying vehicles between its production plant in Martorell and the Port of Barcelona.

In operation since 2008, this train service, operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) –Catalan Regional Railway, currently transports an average of 105,000 vehicles every year.

With this new signing both companies are extending operation of the Autometro service by a further three years. During this time, several technical studies will be carried out that will enable complementary rail traffic and adjust the service to the current needs of the Martorell factory. At present, these trains make three trips a day from Monday to Friday, and are integrated in the Baix Llobregat Metro rail service.

SEAT vice-president for Production and Logistics Christian Vollmer stated that “the renewal of the agreement is clear proof of SEAT’s commitment to rail transport and an example of the benefits of collaboration between the public and private sector. SEAT is Spain’s largest industrial export company and needs transportation infrastructure that contributes to generating wealth in society. SEAT will remain committed to logistics to make the distribution of vehicles more flexible, efficient and sustainable,” he declared.

The consolidation of Autometro confirms SEAT’s and FGC’s firm global commitment to the environment and sustainable mobility. SEAT exports more than 80 percent of the vehicles made in Martorell and says rail transport is ecological, profitable and efficient.

Rail also contributes to reducing accidents, as the Autometro line eliminates the use of 25,000 trucks annually on the route between Martorell and Barcelona. This service relies on a 411 metre train with articulated double-decker carriages that can carry 170 vehicles. In October the Autometro line posted the figure of one million vehicles transported since it opened in 2008.