Renfe analyzes a price review with train manufacturers
MADRID, 28 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -
The Government has increased its investment plan for the Madrid Cercanías by more than 1,500 million euros, up to 6,673 million euros, with the aim of updating the network, expanding it and improving the service with new rolling stock.
Specifically, of that amount, around 2,280 million euros correspond to the acquisition of new trains, which will begin to be operational from 2025 in a staggered manner until 2029, according to sources from the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda. .
However, the fleet will remain stable at around 278 trains on the Madrid Cercanías network, although the offer of seats will increase due to the greater capacity of the new trains. Some of the vehicles that already operate in this region will move to other communities.
Renfe is already analyzing the proposals made by the train manufacturers, mainly Alstom, CAF and Stadler, all three with ongoing orders, to review the prices of the contracts commissioned due to the rise in the prices of materials.
The Government has also responded to the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Días Ayuso, who this Tuesday has estimated each daily delay in the Cercanías service in the region at five million euros, demanding that the central government solve the lack of investment in Cercanías.
"The president should be more concerned about what is happening in the metro and to help try to solve the problems in the Cercanías", the same sources have pointed out, defending that the punctuality of the Madrid commuter train is close to 97%.
Likewise, they have estimated the free passes sold so far at 2,080,000, which would have boosted the demand for travel to recover 98% of the demand for the Cercanías in all of Spain compared to the period before the pandemic. In addition, in Medium Distance this percentage is 137% and in Avant 130%.
Regarding the Madrid Cercanías plan, the execution only reaches 13%, while the amount mobilized is 55% of the 6,673 million budgeted. Of this amount, 3,610 million belong to Adif's infrastructure and the rest to the service provided by Renfe, including rolling stock.
Apart from the construction of new stations in Fuencarral-Malmea, Soto Sur, Parla Norte, Tres Cantos Norte, La Rejas, Campo de la Naciones and La Tenería, the remodels of Chamartín and Atocha stand out.
Last year 205 million people traveled through the Madrid commuter network through its 95 stations, with 1,450 daily circulations and 371 kilometers of tracks.
