Malaga commuters face six-month rail headache as C1 closure causes ire among Costa del Sol mayors

Thousands of Costa del Sol commuters could face a major transport headache when the C1 Cercanias line between Malaga and Torremolinos is closed for around six months for works.

Certain local town hall leaders are fuming and have serious raised concerns about the effect the planned works could have on daily journeys, particularly as workers and students return to their normal routines after the summer. Many are saying the decision is political, as some sort of punishment for Andalucia not toeing the central government line on other issues.

According to figures presented by local representatives, Malaga’s two Cercanias lines carried more than 17.1 million passengers in 2024. Passenger movements in Malaga also increased from around 10 million in 2019 to 15 million in 2024. Those figures give some idea of the pressure already placed on the railway network.

Fears over more traffic on the A-7

Big questions remain over how regular C1 passengers will travel while the railway is unavailable. Much of the extra demand could end up on the A-7, which already carries heavy traffic between Malaga, Torremolinos and the wider Costa del Sol. Apparently, buses will be laid on to compensate, but few details have been published.

Anyone who regularly drives this stretch will know that adding thousands of extra car journeys is hardly likely to improve the morning commute. Previous EWN coverage has already reported on the planned six-month C1 closure, with works expected to take place from late 2027 into early 2028.

Malaga Cercanias already running close to capacity

Renfe itself has acknowledged the pressure on the C1. The operator says the line carried a large share of the 15.5 million passengers recorded across Malaga Cercanias in 2025, with some peak services reaching around 150 per cent of seated capacity. Seven new high-capacity trains are planned for the Malaga-Fuengirola route from 2028, in a €66.7 million investment designed to carry more passengers. Station improvement works are also taking place, including projects at Torreblanca and other C1 stops.

However, commuters facing the temporary closure will want to know what alternative transport will actually be available. Replacement buses could become essential, particularly during the morning and afternoon peaks.

With September bringing the return of schools, universities and normal working patterns, pressure on Malaga’s transport network is already building.

For Costa del Sol residents, the big question is simple: when the C1 closes, where will all those passengers go?