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Cars and TransportationEurope

Madrid tests package delivery by subway to cut congestion

Markus Böhnisch
June 12, 2026

Online shopping is booming and cities are overwhelmed by a flood of packages. The Spanish capital is testing a new approach to urban logistics and sustainable delivery by shifting parcel transport underground.

https://p.dw.com/p/5FHsS

With e‑commerce growth driving up to 20% of city traffic, officials and delivery firms are exploring how the Madrid Metro can ease congestion and cut emissions.

Early-morning trains now carry hundreds of packages before commuters arrive, aiming to reduce delivery vehicles, traffic jams and air pollution in the Spanish capital.

The pilot project is still small in scale, buttransport experts see potential for expansion across more metro lines.

If successful, the model could offer a template for other European cities seeking greener last-mile delivery solutions while keeping streets clear above ground.

DW author Markus Böhnisch
Markus Böhnisch Reporter focusing on the Iberian Peninsula and topics related to sustainability