Spanish High Velocity (AVE), the symbol of the Spanish brand, celebrates thirty years of continuous renewal and as the hero of the world. new mobility thanks to its sustainable nature.
However, AVE exceeds this target with pending issues such as: irregular extension. the high price of roads throughout the country and their services for a part of citizens.
In fact, the main actors in its development and commercialization conflicts: the new network should be more plural and inclusive.
The line between Madrid and Sevilla started its commercial operation in February. April 21, 1992It coincided with the celebration of the Universal Exhibition in the Andalusian capital and formed one of the engines of the internationalization of the Spanish economy.
“The railway received strong support from 1986 with the implementation of modernization plans and access to the European Economic Community,” Alicante University Professor of History and Economic Institutions told EFE. Javier Vidal.
Isaías Táboas, president of Renfe, said that the increase in the average commercial speed is “a result of AVE’s then a new value“supports its “driving role in the public transport market in Spain”.
Since 1992, the AVE network has been expanding and currently connects 67 cities in Spain through a network. More than 3,000 kilometers and 13 fast lines.
“We started with less than 20 trains and 5 cities,” recalls Raquel Sánchez, Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, in an interview with Efe, valuing the “quantitative and qualitative” leap that high-speed rail transport has made in Spain in these three decades.
Wider mesh and less radial
However, some autonomous communities, such as Asturias, Basque Country or Extremadura They are not yet part of a network that accuses Vidal of “overbroadcasting of the traditional network”.
In this sense, the head of the railway infrastructures administrative unit (ADIF), Maria Luisa DominguezHe detailed that 11,500 million euros had been executed at the end of 2021, with a further 12,000 million euros by 2025.
ADIF will perfect the link between Madrid stations with the amount corresponding to this year. Atocha and Chamartin -The line that will connect the north of the network to the south- The line that will connect Venta de Baños (Palencia) to Burgos and the arrival of the high-speed railway to the city of Murcia.
The first phase of AVE to Extremadura will also be developed and will be completed in the coming years, when some of the network’s most delayed operations will also open up. Haystack Variation, It will connect Asturias to the central plateau.
“Our rail strategy is to promote High Speed and Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors”He also insisted on the need to “promote access to logistics terminals and ports”.
‘Democratize’ transport
This liberalization of passenger transport and the entry of operators such as French Ouigo, a subsidiary of SNCF, or Ilsa, which will connect Madrid with the Spanish Levante and Barcelona with Iryo trains in the coming months, creating a “more competitive and affordable” high-speed network. possible, he cares about Sanchez.
“The most interesting thing is that we give new operators the opportunity to submit an offer. towing transportation “to all citizens who may decide to abandon private transport and choose the most sustainable option,” he argues.
The minister said that the new operators “high speed and optimize the use of infrastructures”.
Given the rise in electricity prices, a facing liberalization energy costs ‘quadled’ As Hélène Valenzuela, managing director of Ouigo in Spain, explained to EFE, if carried over to prices, it could lead to 30-40% increases in the final amount of tickets.
Renfe’s low-cost high-speed service (AVLO), recently launched June 23, It was successful in the first six months of its operation on the Madrid-Barcelona-Figueres Vilafant route, tripling the number of high-speed passengers compared to a year ago (in the midst of the epidemic), reaching three million passengers.
comprehensive mobility
ADIF cites as a new way to optimize intermodality. all infrastructures your network. “We are working to connect the train, intercity buses, commuter trains, metro, taxis and also intercity trains. special vehicles“, detailing its president.
Renfe, “international expansion, innovation and digitalizationIn addition to continuing to “provide comprehensive mobility services to its customers”, it continues to advance in “smart and sustainable” travel.
“We are currently in a process where we aim to bring the high speed closer to Turkey. new viewers and by increasing the number of users, offering a more flexible commercial offer that becomes a more accessible product for everyone and can be adapted to the needs of different travellers,” President Táboas insisted.
The Spanish Government counts on High Speed and hopes, in the minister’s words: “No need to wait another 30 years” and trusts that the network can continue to “perfect itself”.
Accordingly, the Executor’s bets are on the sustainability and development of the trans-European transport network, which will be driven by: €6.2 billion From the Government’s Plan for Recovery, Transformation and Resilience to channel activated European funds to tackle the economic effects of the pandemic.
“Our task now is to make sure that future generations know how to benefit from the infrastructure network we are building and to make citizens feel that the train is the best alternative for mobility.” Transport owner.