High-speed trains between Madrid and Andalusia have been suspended since Wednesday’s catastrophic collision between a Renfe AVE and an Erio train near Urda, Toledo. According to the latest information, an accident that claimed at least 68 lives and injured 107 others. Alternative measures proposed by operators include partial rail transfers, free ticket changes and a plan that Renfe promises for this Friday.
fatal accident Adif suspended high-speed traffic on the Madrid-Andalusia corridor after the accident, which happened at the 8:54 kilometer point on Wednesday, according to El Español. Adif sources explain that questions are yet to be determined as to why the control center gave the AVE the green light to continue its journey when an Iryo train halted outside the LZB service and stopped at the same cantonment.
There is also no date for reopening, as it depends on emergency work and technical checks to certify that the infrastructure is safe, according to El Diario de Madrid.
Renoff’s plan. What’s known so far and what’s promised for Friday:
- now Renfe operates special trains between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Puertollano, which add about an hour and a half to the journey, according to Cuenca information. Passengers arriving or departing from Puertollano must transfer to Ciudad Real and some departures use a bus for the last leg.
- Starting Friday, October 30. Renfe has announced an “alternative transport plan” for the Madrid-Andalusia corridor. According to Voices de Cuenca, it will remain open while high-speed traffic is interrupted. Renfe has not yet confirmed whether it will combine train and road, which Andalusian cities it will serve or how long the journey will last, so we’ll have to wait.
What happens to your ticket? Renfe offers free changes and cancellations for affected tickets, all handled through its official channels. According to El Diario de Madrid, it has blocked sales on the line until December. The recommendation at this point is not to go to a station where you have previously made a reservation and check the line status first.
Other operators. Same for the rest of the operators:
- oooh It suspended all Madrid-Andalusia services until at least Monday, November 2, and promised a full refund, shared by El Diario de Madrid.
- Erio They canceled all their services between Madrid-Andalusia and warned that there is no forecast at the moment to restore their line. Like other operators, it has enabled free changes and cancellations for victims.
- Iberia. It added 520 seats for Wednesday and set fares from Andalucía to 99 euros in economy class and 149 euros in business until Nov. 8.
- Air Europa. Add a daily flight to Malaga and Seville, with room for two more in Seville.
- the bus Several transport companies have increased capacity on their Madrid-Andalusia route, including Socibus, Avanza, Samar and Interbus.
Example of Adamuz. After the January accident, Renfe also implemented a replacement plan, and the line was closed for about a month, before reopening on 17 February. This doesn’t predict Urda’s schedule, but it does suggest he’s in for the long haul. In addition, the Cercanías train drivers’ strike may further complicate access to the Atocha transfer today.
Cover image Ministry of Defence
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