The Bird of the 'Sánchez Era': delayed investment despite the 'boom' in train and passenger traffic
Following the Adamuz tragedy, the government defended its railway infrastructure investments, attributing past failures to previous administrations. Despite claims of increased spending, real investment growth has been minimal, with maintenance spending remaining low. The political landscape significantly influenced investment patterns, particularly during periods of instability. The introduction of new operators like Ouigo and Iryo has increased passenger traffic and reduced ticket prices, yet concerns about infrastructure maintenance persist. Experts highlight that while competition has improved usage rates, the overall investment per kilometer remains low compared to European averages, raising questions about the sustainability of the network.