Madrid Metro celebrates its 105th anniversary and to accompany such an important date, it has launched a series of activations and experiences aimed at strengthening the relationship between Madrid citizens and the suburban area. Among the initiatives, the creation of sneakers, the launch of a podcast or the creation of a video game stands out.
The Madrid Metro sneakers
Madrid Metro has created some sports shoes next to the artist Tito Customs, and are inspired by the corporate colors and transportation logo. This is an exclusive model of which Only 105 pairs have been put on sale, coinciding with the figure that is celebrated; although a raffle has also been launched on social networks to give away some pairs.
The sneakers, according to Miguel Oliver, Director of Communication, Marketing and Customer of Metro de Madrid, have sold out in a matter of hours.
As explained by Metro de Madrid, the shoes incorporate a chip on the tongue which, through an NFC reader, allows you to download the company’s official application, the metro network map and a video game about the ChamberĂ ghost station.
The sneakers have been presented at an event at the Real Casa de Correos and at different points on the Madrid Metro network. At the Nuevos Ministerios station, for example, a giant replica of the footwear has been created.
A special train
Continuing with activations carried out on other occasions, such as Christmas, Metro de Madrid has also put a special train into circulation to celebrate the anniversary. It is a vinyl convoy which emulates the original aesthetics of the beginning of the 20th century, specifically that of those trains that began to circulate in 1919. It is worth remembering that the inaugural journey was made by King Alfonso XIII between the Sol and Cuatro Caminos stations.
The train will circulate on line 1 of the Madrid Metro until the end of the year, with the intention that all citizens can enjoy it.
A podcast with curiosities about Metro de Madrid
Among the experiences and content created by Metro de Madrid, the production of a podcast that will address the life and career of some of the figures that give name to different stations on the network. It will be made up of 10 episodes and in them Javier DotĂş, who voices the Metro de Madrid public address system, will interview actors -Manuel Galiana or RamĂłn Langa- who will play the La Latina, Chueca, PrĂncipe de Vergara or Lista stations.
“Discover the fascinating history that has accompanied us throughout the years and explore some of the most surprising curiosities of one of the city’s most iconic transportation systems“; they explain from Metro de Madrid on the website enabled for the podcast. “Available on the main podcast platforms, each episode will take you to know the secrets, anecdotes and protagonists that make Metro de Madrid a key piece in urban life”.
However, the first episode does not correspond to a station, but is dedicated to the architect Antonio Palacios, an essential figure for the urban planning of the capital and the metropolitan area and whose birth marks 150 years. The episodes can be heard through Spotify, Ivoox and YouTube.
A video game about the ChamberĂ station
As noted above, there has also been developed a video game, which can be accessed by scanning the chip present on the tongue of the shoes and which has also been designed together with Tito Customs. The video game, the transport company’s first, has been produced with exclusive suburban motifs.
Invites players to catch the ghosts that have escaped from the old ChamberĂ station and are hiding along the entire line 1. As the protagonist hunts them down, he will obtain badges from the twelve metro lines. Metro de Madrid has announced that the video game will soon be hosted on the website and in the app and accessible to everyone.
“We have one of the most important subways in the world, the most accessible in Europe, and we continue to grow“, commented the Minister of Housing, Transport and Infrastructure, Jorge Rodrigo, in a statement. “To celebrate this anniversary we want to continue working to improve public transportation in our region to improve mobility“.