Globalvia has announced that it has closed the acquisition of a 30% stake in the companies that operate Barcelona's two tram lines, Tramvia Metropolità  S.A. and Tramvia Metropolità  del Besà²s S.A. Globalvia has acquired the stake from FCC and Comsa.

Globalvia already operates several rail assets in Spain such as Tranvia de Parla (Madrid), Metro Ligero de Sanchinarro (Madrid), Metro Barajas (Madrid metro system's line 8) and Transportes Ferroviarios de Madrid (Madrid metro system's line 9B).

Globalvia was incorporated in 2007 by FCC and Bankia, each holding 50% of the company. At the end of 2011 Globalvia raised €400 million from pension funds PPGM (Netherlands) and OPTrust (Canada).

Mr. Javier Pérez Fortea, Globalvia's Corporate Managing Director, stated:

"The transaction fits perfectly well within our corporate strategy of high quality asset acquisitions in the roads and rail sectors. This acquisition further consolidates Globalvia as a global leader in the management and operation of PPP projects in the rail concessions sector".

Banco Sabadell and Societe Generale have also sold their minority stakes in the projects. Alstom and Moventia have bought their stakes.

The Baix Llobregat concession was awarded by the Barcelona metropolitan transport authority (ATM) in 2000 and operations started in 2004. The line includes 29 stops, 4 modal interchanges and is 15.1 km long.

The Besà²s line concession was awarded by ATM in 2002, the first phase began operations in 2004 and the line was fully operational in 2008. The line includes 27 stops, 9 modal interchanges and is 14.1 km long.