Spain considers massive cut to medium-distance train travel

Spanish train operator Renfe is being forced to carry out a major cull of its underused mid-distance rail services.

Following the publication of a report into the performance of Spain’s rail network, Renfe announced that it would be setting out which services would be protected with public funding.

Renfe has said that the report, which was conducted by INECO, found that 51.7 per cent of mid-distance train services only carry 16 per cent of passengers. It also suggested that on the poorest performing routes, Renfe was contributing 371 euros for every 11 euro ticket bought.

The operator said that it plans to protect “the right to mobility for all citizens” while implementing the findings of the report, which was commisioned in 2010 and completed last year.

Renfe hopes to re-organise long-distance trains to cover some of the lost services and has said that communities whose rail services do not receive public backing will be given the chance to find the funding themselves.




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