Prohens announces improvements to the safety and efficiency of the train and metro network through the implementation of the ERTMS system
SFM is introducing the European benchmark technology that optimises the reliability, punctuality and operational capacity of the railway service
The investment exceeds €51 million and deployment has already begun on the metro network before being extended across the entire railway system
The President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Margalida Prohens, together with the Regional Minister for Housing, Territory and Mobility, José Luis Mateo, today presented the roadmap for the implementation of ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), the European automatic train protection technology that is already being deployed across the network of Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM) through a total investment exceeding €51 million.
The event, during which the first trackside balise was installed on one of the tracks at Palma Intermodal Station, was also attended by the Director General for Mobility, Lorena del Valle; the General Manager of SFM, José Ramón Orta; and representatives of the companies awarded contracts for the implementation of the system.
The introduction of this technology, through several contracts awarded last year, represents a decisive step forward in terms of railway safety and the modernisation of train and metro services. Considered the European benchmark model for driving supervision, signalling and speed control, the system enables constant communication between track infrastructure, trains and the control centre, allowing continuous monitoring of railway operations.
As highlighted by President Margalida Prohens, “it is a priority for this Government to guarantee maximum safety across Mallorca’s entire railway network. With this investment, we are taking another step forward by committing to leading-edge technology that places our network among the most demanding European standards.”
Over the past two years, investment in safety and maintenance has increased fivefold, rising from a situation of underinvestment to a budget of almost €120 million, representing a 400% increase aimed at correcting historic deficiencies in both the network infrastructure and rolling stock.
The system operates as an electronic co-driver, constantly informing the train of the appropriate speed, braking commands or stop orders, and intervening automatically if any incident is detected, significantly reducing risks associated with human error.
In addition to strengthening operational safety, the project will increase the operational capacity of the infrastructure, facilitate more efficient railway traffic management and prepare the network for future service improvements.
Deployment will be carried out progressively. The first phase is currently underway on the metro network and is expected to be completed by March 2027. The system will subsequently be extended to the remainder of the railway network, with full implementation expected during the final months of 2028. 
This phased schedule will allow railway services to continue operating throughout the works and ensure an orderly transition to the new technological environment. The project includes upgrades to trackside equipment, the adaptation of rolling stock and the creation of a dedicated control centre for managing the new signalling and supervision system.
Several companies are participating in the implementation of this technology on the SFM network, including a consortium formed by CAF, Electrans and Hitachi Rail, which was awarded the contract for the deployment and implementation of the system, as well as other companies responsible for technical assistance, project supervision and the installation of onboard equipment systems.
Through this initiative, the Government of the Balearic Islands and Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca reaffirm their commitment to the continuous improvement of public transport, placing safety at the centre of their strategy while consolidating a more reliable, efficient and future-ready mobility model.