Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) awarded the contract for the construction of the 9000 series to Alstom in 2002.

[5] Constructed in Belgium, France and Spain, they are part of the Alstom Metropolis family of underground trains.

In an unlikely event of a shortage of trains, they may operate on any standard gauge sections with an overhead power supply.

Due to the order for 6 additional trains in April 2009, and another two in 2019, the numbering ranges for the 9000 Series is currently as follows:[18][19] In further detail: Four other metro systems operate the manual version of the 9000 series or its derivatives, with segregated driver cabs and walk-through cars: the Santo Domingo Metro operates 34 three-car trains with a similar external livery,[7][20] and the Lima Metro has operated 19 five-car trains in its own external and internal livery since February 2013.

[citation needed] The Via Oberta miniature railway operates a live steam scale (1:11) version of the 9000 series in the Barcelona Metro livery.