Adif authorized the French private rail operator Ouigo to run on the AVE corridor between Murcia and Madrid starting in the first half of 2024, a development described as a major breakthrough for the city and its region by Murcia’s mayor, José Ballesta.
The mayor steered a political effort to secure this outcome by engaging with Ouigo, the National Competition Market Commission (CNMC), the Government Delegation, and the Ministry of Transport. He highlighted that progress came from collaboration across institutions and political lines. Murcians showed they could unite to achieve a common objective, he noted.
The announcement framed Ouigo’s arrival as a significant step for Murcia, expanding options beyond the current AVE service’s constraints on location, timetables, and frequency. It marks a strategic shift that broadens the city’s high‑speed rail connections and supports regional mobility and economic opportunities.
Ballesta led the campaign to authorize Ouigo’s use of the Murcia–Madrid high‑speed line. In the weeks leading up to the agreement, the mayor undertook several actions aimed at realizing the goal, demonstrating sustained political commitment and stakeholder coordination. On June 25, a meeting with Helene Valenzuela, Ouigo’s managing director, confirmed the company’s readiness to operate on the Murcia line, following similar commitments in Alicante and Valencia. The projection was that Ouigo’s entry would become a commercial success.
Meanwhile, Murcia City Council sent a formal letter to the CNMC advocating for the liberalization of the railway sector and laid groundwork with Adif chief María Luisa Domínguez to secure Ouigo permission. Ballesta and Domínguez planned a follow‑up meeting in Madrid on September 7 to advance the process. The mayor also maintained frequent contact with Francisco Jiménez, the delegate of the Government of the Region of Murcia, who supported the effort from the outset. The overall message remained that cross‑institutional cooperation, regardless of political color, had delivered tangible results for the region.
14,000 seats weekly
With the Ouigo entrance anticipated in May 2024, Murcia residents were promised a new travel option that adds 14,000 weekly seats to Madrid, supplementing Renfe’s existing offer added since the previous December. The plan envisaged Ouigo providing four daily round trips to the Spanish capital with one intermediate stop, enabling a journey time of about 2 hours and 45 minutes. Early pricing was expected to be highly competitive, with tickets starting around 9 euros, widening access to high‑speed rail for a broader segment of travelers and supporting regional tourism and business travel.
As the process progressed, transportation authorities emphasized the broader benefits of liberalization for service diversity, price competition, and improved connectivity across the Murcia region. The collaboration among municipal, regional, and national bodies was cited as a model for how streamlined approvals can unlock new mobility options and stimulate local economies while maintaining safety standards and seamless integration with existing rail services. The anticipated service would also align with broader European rail strategies aimed at expanding cross‑border and domestic high‑speed networks, reinforcing Murcia’s role as a connected hub within the national rail map. [Source: official updates and statements from Adif, CNMC, and Murcia City Council]