A historic milestone for the Murcia region as the high-speed line connects Madrid and Murcia, opening today with an official ceremony at 13:40. The inaugural trip runs in under three hours, showcasing a rapid and modern link between the capital and southern Spain.
The train departs from platform 19 at Chamartin station. It stands as the fastest connection currently available, with the first service passing in front of King Felipe VI and the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. Attending the event are regional leaders and transport ministers, underscoring the line’s significance for heritage and mobility.
The journey then moves from Madrid to Elche, where the Valencian Community leader, Ximo Puig, joins the parade. Joaquín Contreras, spokesperson for the ProSoterramiento Platform, is also aboard the AVE.
Afterwards, the train proceeds to Murcia del Carmen station, where senior officials will preside over a formal corporate opening. Attendees include the King, regional presidents, and the transport minister, who will address the audience. The service is scheduled to reach Murcia by 16:30.
On its first day, the service begins at Chamartín with two frequencies. In addition to the Elche stop, a stop in Orihuela is included on the route.
Two more daily trains depart from Madrid, with stops in Alicante, Villena, Albacete, and Cuenca. Travel time for these services extends to about 3 hours and 25 minutes.
District Representatives on the first trip
The lineup features former infrastructure ministers and current leaders in public administration, along with parliamentary spokespersons from different parties. The presence of regional and local officials highlights the broad support for the corridor.
Among the attendees are party spokespeople and senior regional executives. The event is marked by a show of bipartisan support and a demonstration of the new rail corridor’s potential for regional development.
One participant emphasized that the project represents a modern and safer mode of transport, while expanding access to underground networks and urban mobility options.
Discussions about the duration of the trip
The new line sparked conversations about travel times between Madrid and Murcia, and about what the route changes mean for regional connectivity. Some officials called for faster and cheaper options, while others emphasized the importance of clear official information regarding arrivals.
Community leaders weighed in on the schedule, with calls to ensure the stops serve the broader territory fairly and respect the needs of all communities along the corridor.
AVE in Murcia: nineteen years and four days later
To celebrate the launch, ticket sales began last week for a four-day frequency, offering thousands of seats daily and a promotional campaign encouraging advanced purchases for next year.
If delays occur, ticket refunds follow a defined schedule based on the length of the interruption. The policy aims to keep travelers informed and fairly compensated.
The service offers two classes, standard and comfort. The S-112 vehicle model delivers high-speed performance, with ample accessibility features and a high-capacity, single-aisle configuration. Trains reach speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour and carry around 353 seats per train.