The new route is called the EMT 001 and runs along a north to south axis connecting Atocha station with Moncloa running along the busy shopping streets of Calle Princessa and Gran Via and the Paseo del Prado.

It uses a fleet of brand new electric buses that boast zero-emissions and form part of the Madrid 360 initiative to reduce traffic and pollution in the capital.

The light blue buses have a capacity for 75 passengers and will run approximately every 7-8 minutes between 7am and 11.30pm. 

There are 15 stops along the route going southbound and 17 going northbound..

Announcing the new route on Tuesday Madrid mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida said the idea was “to encourage people to leave their cars at home”.

The new right-wing Popular Party-led council invested in ten new electric buses at a cost to the taxpayer of €4.4 million. They estimate that the buses will clock up a total of  350,000 kms annually transporting some 13,000 passengers each day. 

A further route running east to west will be launched on March 3rd linking Argüelles with the Puerta de Toledo.

READ ALSO:

• Spain by train: Everything you need to know about rail travel
• Madrid Bookie: The intimate literary salon with big ambitions 
• Fifteen unmissable paintings at Museo del Prado in Madrid