The Government is considering cutting the Madrid-Barcelona line for up to two years due to improvement works

The Spanish government is considering suspending the AVE line between Madrid and Barcelona for one to two years to expedite infrastructure improvements. Minister Óscar Puente highlighted that this decision is influenced by the need to restore confidence in safety and reliability after recent incidents. The line, which serves around 40,000 passengers daily, could see significant delays if improvements are made while maintaining service. Comparisons were drawn with the German model of cutting services for renovations, which may not be directly applicable in Spain due to its radial network structure. The proposal has faced opposition from engineering professionals who advocate for reduced train frequency instead of complete closure.