Ordered trains too big for the tunnels: Bahn boss has to resign
The Spanish railway company has ordered new trains for regional transport for 258 million euros. But these do not fit through the tunnels. Now there are delays – and great anger.
A modern Renfe train in Madrid: The residents of the northern regions of Asturias and Cantabria now have to wait at least two years longer for such a train following the ordering debacle.
Photo: Gabriel Bouys (AFP)
On April 1, this news would probably only cause a tired smile, but in Spain the people in the northern regions of Asturias and Cantabria no longer feel like laughing: The Spanish railway company Renfe has 31 new trains for regional traffic for 258 million euros ( 255 million Swiss francs) – and forgot that there are still some old, smaller tunnels from the 19th century in the north of the country. And the trains ordered would simply not fit through them.
Renfe had already placed the order in 2020, later noticed the error and stopped the order before production of the trains began. When that was exactly remains unclear, the case only came regarding through research by the Asturian local newspaper «Trade» to the light. The newspaper first reported on the scandal three weeks ago. The central government in Madrid finally had to admit the mistake. Trains have now been ordered that fit, they say, but they will not be ready for use until 2026, with a delay of at least two years.
After initially only two department heads from Renfe and the rail network manager Adif were dismissed, the prime ministers of Asturias and Cantabria demanded that “the heads of big animals should roll too”. Shortly therefollowing, both the Renfe President and the State Secretary in the Ministry of Transport resigned. The affected regions also demanded financial compensation for the delay in the new trains.
Travel for free on the train as compensation
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez promised to investigate the incident. However, there was no financial damage because production was stopped early following warnings regarding the tunnels. In the affected regions, however, commuters and day-trippers will have to make do with the old rolling stock for the time being. The modern trains and the better connection to the national railway network will not come until 2026 at the earliest.
In fact, Spain is considered a model country in the EU in terms of rail transport. The AVE trains, which can reach speeds of up to 310 km/h, are known for their punctuality and reliability. But not in the regions of Asturias and Cantabria, people there have to wait a little longer for the more modern Spanish railways. After all: On all routes affected by delayed train deliveries, all passengers can now travel for free, announced Pedro Sanchez’s government. In addition, Renfe will expand the order to 38 new trains and continuously renew the outdated rail infrastructure in the regions.
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