A process has begun in Spain that could significantly reshape the country’s railway network. Infrastructure administrator Adif has started preparing to expand high-speed connections on routes linking Madrid with southern cities. Special attention is being given to Cádiz and Huelva—these cities have long awaited improved transport accessibility.
It is planned that up to 16 additional trains per day will be introduced on these routes once all phases are complete. This move aims to address longstanding demands from residents and officials in Andalusia, who have repeatedly called for more frequent and convenient train services between the capital and the southern regions.
Unlike previous phases of liberalization, which saw major players such as Ouigo and Iryo enter the market, this time the focus is on less profitable but strategically important routes. Adif has chosen a different approach: before launching a tender, the company has invited potential operators to share their suggestions and concerns. This method aims to reduce risks for new market entrants and simplify planning.
Among the interested companies is Ecorail, part of the Magtel group from Córdoba. Ecorail’s management has already announced plans to participate in the next stage, joining forces with the bus operator Alsa. However, there are significant obstacles: operating on these routes requires trains with variable gauge, and production of such trains can take up to five years. Even if orders are placed soon, the new trains will not be available before 2032. This means that residents of Cádiz and Huelva will only have access to new services in a few years’ time.
To accelerate the process, Ecorail proposes using a fleet of leased trains created by Renfe back in 2013. This measure would temporarily address the shortage of rolling stock and reduce financial risks for new carriers.
Another challenge is the limited number of available time slots on the Madrid-Seville line, used by trains to Cádiz and Huelva. Most of the schedule is already occupied by existing operators, and new services may not always be able to stop in Seville. This could reduce the overall impact of expanding service across Andalusia, even though regional authorities have long sought exactly that.
It is worth recalling that in 2024, the Andalusian government abandoned the idea of transferring the organization of domestic rail routes to private companies, similar to the arrangement for bus transportation. Previously, there had been discussions about reaching an agreement with the state to increase the number of trains between the region’s major cities. However, the project was never implemented, despite interest from businesses and the necessary powers held by the autonomous community.
In the past, Andalusia had already tried to establish its own railway network, but the 2008 economic crisis put an end to these plans. Now, the region again hopes for changes that could make travel across southern Spain faster and more convenient.
