After a quarter of a century of sustained investment, Spain's high-speed network continues to extend its reach to new areas of the country. But with the country in the grip of a devastating economic crisis, plans for further expansion are in a state of flux. Fernando Puente evaluates the prospects of the world's third largest high-speed network.
SPANISH operator Renfe last week approved the establishment of four new subsidiaries that will assume responsibility for its passenger and freight operations, rolling stock maintenance, and a new rolling stock leasing division.
SPAIN celebrated the launch of high-speed services between Madrid and Alicante on June 17 with the official opening of the Albacete – Alicante high-speed line by His Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias, Spanish prime minister Mr Mariano Rajoy and transport minister Mrs Ana Pastor.
SPAIN's Ministry of Transport this week reported that ridership on Renfe AVE services has risen 14% year-on-year in the last four months to 4.7 million passengers, following an 11% cut in all tourist class tickets in early February.
THE Spanish government finally confirmed this week that Renfe will start commercial services on the 165km high-speed line from Albacete to Alicante on June 18.
THALES Spain has signed a Euros 109m turnkey contract to modernise and renew signalling systems on the Cairo-Alexandria line, in a project which will double capacity and raise the maximum line speed from 140km/h to 160km/h.
COSTA RICA last week restored suburban services on the 21km line between the capital San Jose, and the city of Cartago, following a modest investment of Colon 3.5bn ($US 6.9m).
THE council of Velez-Malaga has approved plans to lease three CAF Urbos 2 LRVs, acquired as part of the Spanish town's abandoned light rail project, to Sydney for use on the Metro Light Rail line, which is currently being extended.
MACANDREWS, a subsidiary of shipping group CMA-CGM this week launched a new refrigerated railfreight service linking Bilbao with Murcia in the southeast of Spain.
FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) has reached an agreement to buy a 25% stake in Spanish open-access freight operator Comsa Rail Transport (CRT) for an undisclosed sum.