Spain has Europe’s most efficient high-speed rail network, says report

The high-speed line Madrid-Seville
The high-speed line Madrid-Seville Adif Alta Velocidad

Spain has succeeded in developing the most extensive high-speed network in the EU, with the lowest average construction cost in the Eurozone. This is the conclusion of a report published on 6 November, commissioned by the Ministry of Transport from the engineering consultancy Ineco.

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Author: Frédéric de Kemmeter

Frédéric de Kemmeter is signalling technician and railway policy observer.

5 comments op “Spain has Europe’s most efficient high-speed rail network, says report”

bönström bönström|08.01.24|12:32

Yes, Spain has proved an authority within high speed railways, but otherwise however costly maintenance has proved Obstacle and Bottleneck.
What is maintenance cost of total LCC cost?
Details are requested!
Further news about the Spain high speed railway are looked forward for!

Quentin Vole|10.01.24|10:41

Spain has a population density less than 1/7th that of Central England (where HS2 runs), and many Spaniards live in cities, making the countryside even more empty. Wherever you place a high-speed line in England, it will run through far more homes and businesses than a similar line in Spain. This also requires more of the line to be in cuttings or tunnels to reduce noise pollution.

Roland Bol|10.01.24|15:17

It worries me that high speed lines have been built that see only a few trains per day.
Efficiency measured as cost/km is one thing, the real measure is cost/passenger km. Now already operating costs are 8% and maintenance costs 92%. This is while the lines are fairly new: maintenance costs will increase after 20 years. EU has funded a significant part of the building costs, but if train operators are unable to pay for the maintenance costs, in the worst case lines might be closed.

bryan ward|12.01.24|00:31

No excuse for the UKs corrupt and pathetic railway planning.

bönström bönström|12.01.24|17:35

TEN-T, at standards that already at last century had passed b f d, devastatingly is cementing.
STAX22,5 the allowed by authorities, regrettably neither withstand current load, nor speed, and for sure not any added requested.
A robust (resilient and redundant) a New Old Railway is needed!
A safely STAX32 track, now should be min. etc.

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Spain has Europe’s most efficient high-speed rail network, says report | RailTech.com

Spain has Europe’s most efficient high-speed rail network, says report

The high-speed line Madrid-Seville
The high-speed line Madrid-Seville Adif Alta Velocidad

Spain has succeeded in developing the most extensive high-speed network in the EU, with the lowest average construction cost in the Eurozone. This is the conclusion of a report published on 6 November, commissioned by the Ministry of Transport from the engineering consultancy Ineco.

Want to read more?

Subscribe now!

Take advantage of our exclusive offer to get full access to all premium content.

See the offer

Author: Frédéric de Kemmeter

Frédéric de Kemmeter is signalling technician and railway policy observer.

5 comments op “Spain has Europe’s most efficient high-speed rail network, says report”

bönström bönström|08.01.24|12:32

Yes, Spain has proved an authority within high speed railways, but otherwise however costly maintenance has proved Obstacle and Bottleneck.
What is maintenance cost of total LCC cost?
Details are requested!
Further news about the Spain high speed railway are looked forward for!

Quentin Vole|10.01.24|10:41

Spain has a population density less than 1/7th that of Central England (where HS2 runs), and many Spaniards live in cities, making the countryside even more empty. Wherever you place a high-speed line in England, it will run through far more homes and businesses than a similar line in Spain. This also requires more of the line to be in cuttings or tunnels to reduce noise pollution.

Roland Bol|10.01.24|15:17

It worries me that high speed lines have been built that see only a few trains per day.
Efficiency measured as cost/km is one thing, the real measure is cost/passenger km. Now already operating costs are 8% and maintenance costs 92%. This is while the lines are fairly new: maintenance costs will increase after 20 years. EU has funded a significant part of the building costs, but if train operators are unable to pay for the maintenance costs, in the worst case lines might be closed.

bryan ward|12.01.24|00:31

No excuse for the UKs corrupt and pathetic railway planning.

bönström bönström|12.01.24|17:35

TEN-T, at standards that already at last century had passed b f d, devastatingly is cementing.
STAX22,5 the allowed by authorities, regrettably neither withstand current load, nor speed, and for sure not any added requested.
A robust (resilient and redundant) a New Old Railway is needed!
A safely STAX32 track, now should be min. etc.

Add your comment

characters remaining.

Log in through one of the following social media partners to comment.