Adrián Barbón, the head of the Principality of Asturias, and Miguel Ángel Revilla, his Cantabria counterpart, met with Transport Minister Raquel Sánchez at the Ministry of Transport to discuss the ongoing Fevemocho crisis that sparked a broader transport setback. Barbón stated that he had put his best effort into understanding and solving the situation from the start. He emphasized accountability, noting that apologies were issued, responsibilities clarified, and an internal audit conducted. A working group was formed to accelerate the construction of the trains as quickly as possible. Both regional leaders agreed on measures to offset the delays, including making Cercanías services in Asturias and Cantabria completely free until 2026.
Sánchez acknowledged the initial delays in responding to a complex question, admitting that more information could have arrived sooner. She stressed the importance of taking responsibility and being consistent with duties.
She confirmed the resignations of Isabel Pardo de Vera, Minister of State for Transport, and Isaías Táboas, president of Renfe, and announced that David Lucas and Raúl Blanco would take their places. An inspector was appointed to conduct an audit to determine what failed and to start a new phase of reform.
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Reviewing the events of Fevemocho, officials emphasized the need for clear, realistic communications. They asserted that funds were not squandered and that no delayed trains were released before fixes were in place. The discussion focused on why the design phase had taken longer than expected.
Sánchez charged that the previous central government had neglected Feve, arguing that investments in Asturias and Cantabria for the Cercanías network needed to be weighed against past policies. She defended ongoing projects as proof of concrete progress, contrasting them with power-point promises. She highlighted the unblocked projects stored away and pointed to work on the Gijón-Laviana corridor as a sign of forward motion. This was presented as just the beginning of Cercanías reform in the two communities.
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The discussion included a candid look at investment levels in Cercanías from earlier administrations. It was noted that investments from 2012 to 2017 had fallen by more than half, with the government concentrating on high-speed lines. Feve’s limited rolling stock, especially for metric gauge, was cited as a longstanding oversight. Sánchez highlighted major commitments under Pedro Sánchez to improve commuter service in Asturias and cautioned that initial estimates would be surpassed.
Corrective measures
Sánchez and the regional leaders signed a protocol outlining measures to ease the Fevemocho crisis. The plan prioritizes transparent planning and a phased roll-out of trains in early 2026. In parallel, there will be an accelerated renewal of existing trains to improve service ahead of the new units. Regulations on accessibility, interior reliability, and passenger comfort were included in the agenda.
New trains will rise from 31 to 38, aligning with the contract’s maximum limit. The signed document is not a final agreement, but a framework that sets expectations and timelines while a more formal accord is pursued. A commissioner will oversee suburban plans for Asturias and Cantabria, with a focus on reorganizing schedules and improving travel times.
Plans also include the merger of the metric and traditional rail networks’ fare systems. With a single ticket, passengers in Asturias and Cantabria will be able to switch between Renfe and Feve services seamlessly as the new trains come online.
Additionally, funding will support improvements to public transport in both communities, including extending free rail service until the new trains are delivered in 2026. The minister underscored that the signed protocol represents a commitment to progress, even if it requires more time to finalize a full political agreement.
Free travel through 2026
Barbón and Revilla presented a united front during their appearance, though Revilla pressed for clear accountability from the Ministry. Barbón stressed that Asturias had been surprised by Fevemocho and that both communities would press for rapid solutions. He affirmed that the priority remains Asturias, while also recognizing Cantabria’s needs, and he thanked the minister for engaging promptly to set a date for discussions.
Barbón described a sense of urgency, emphasizing that the trains currently in service do not meet modern expectations. He and Revilla advocated for faster delivery of the new trains, especially for the narrow-gauge lines that serve Asturias and Cantabria, and they called for free Feve and Renfe travel for residents until the new trains are fully delivered.
Carlos Fernández Mayo, director of the Conventional Rail and Transport Promotion Association, attended with a document from platform users requesting a speedy resolution to the Northwest rail situation. The appeal was supported by associations from Asturias, Cantabria, Galicia, and Castilla y León, underscoring broad regional demand for timely action.