criticism cataract
PSPV-PSOE offered a bold twist to the earlier remarks by Fernando López Miras, president of the Region of Murcia. In a move announced this morning, the plan was adjusted to remove high-speed train stops on the new line beginning in the region, aiming to speed up journey times.
The inauguration is scheduled for next Monday, with only two trains expected to stop at both Orihuela and Elche, shortening the Madrid route to under three hours. In particular, the journey is projected at 2 hours and 45 minutes, which represents a 15-minute gain by bypassing those two stations. López Miras also noted that the trip from Lleida to Madrid can be completed in about two hours under different conditions, covering around 500 kilometers without a full stop. He expressed a desire for a similar pattern in his territory, hoping the travel time would not be longer than a car trip, since some Madrid connections to Atocha or Chamartín can exceed three and a half hours. López Heritage stressed that Elche and Orihuela are too close to Murcia to justify an extra stop if speed is a priority, while the PP line up supported the idea of keeping the main corridor fast for regional commuters.
Initial confusion with AVE line to Murcia
Two more criticisms joined yesterday’s chorus from the socialists, all aimed at discrediting the position of a third player, Carlos Mazón, who maintains that López has hinted at fault for the government’s choices. The argument centers on whether the government should increase train frequencies to improve times versus sticking to the current schedule. López Heritage, for his part, argued that the two southern stations were not the core issue, while the discussion echoed the broader political contest among PP leaders, including Miguel Tellado, who is slated to accompany the King on Monday.
Two representatives, including Mazón, said that increasing frequencies would be necessary. The Monday event confirmed that Elche and Orihuela may welcome invitations from local authorities like Carlos González and Carolina Gracia, with their stations forming part of the line.
With the debate intensifying, the aim appeared to be approving more trains. Mazón argued that more services are needed, pushing back against a rival stance from another region that claimed trains were already faster. In a separate development, Elche and Orihuela mayors invited other officials to discuss the project, as coverage indicated the line would extend through several local hubs.
In another note, the Generalitat Valenciana announced a shift in focus. A tweet captured the moment, highlighting a private company presenting its first Madrid-Valencia service in open competition with Renfe. The post underscored that public service should serve all citizens and that Elx and Orihuela are key communities that require strong connections. The exchange reflected ongoing political maneuvering as regional leaders weighed inclusive mobility against the speed of the corridor.
Puig argued that the PP lacks a cohesive vision for an inclusive Spain, and when references to the popular camp arise, they are often tied to polling rivalries ahead of the next regional elections. The public dialogue continued to revolve around how to balance rapid intercity travel with local accessibility.
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Sandra Martín, spokesperson for the PSPV-PSOE Infrastructure team alongside the deputy and candidate for Alicante City Hall Ana Barceló, presented a resolution proposal to Les Corts Valencianes. The plan raises two requests:
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Push the Council to press the national government to ensure the Madrid-Murcia AVE line maintains stops at Orihuela, Elche, Alicante, and Villena to support rail mobility and social cohesion within the province of Alicante.
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In Valencia Courts, argue against sidelining Orihuela and Elche from the Madrid-Murcia AVE line by removing scheduled stops that lack clear economic and social justification, a move deemed detrimental to Alicante’s citizens.
In Alicante, it is noted that the Murcia-to-Madrid line could pass through Alicante on some services, which has led PSPV-PSOE to mark Alicante as a potentially affected city. If the capital does not stop, neither does the province, affecting Orihuela, Elche, Villena, and, with a cross-region adjustment, Albacete or Cuenca. The possibility exists that the AVE from Murcia could cut travel time to roughly two hours, covering around 400 road kilometers.