The events of recent days in the railway system of Cataluña have become a real test for both passengers and officials. Following a series of serious disruptions, delays, train cancellations, and a tragic accident with fatalities, Spain’s Ministry of Transport has found itself at the center of public scrutiny. The decision to dismiss two senior officials sparked widespread debate and raised questions about the effectiveness of the country’s transport infrastructure management.
For residents of Cataluña and other regions of Spain, this news carries direct significance: it concerns not only the comfort and safety of travel, but also trust in state institutions. Widespread disruptions in Rodalies commuter train services have affected thousands, while the railway tragedy in Andalucía, which left dozens dead, shocked the entire nation. Questions remain about who is responsible and how such incidents will be prevented in the future.
Crisis in Rodalies
At the center of the scandal are two key figures: Josep Enric García Alemany, director of Rodalies operations, and Raúl Míguez, director of Adif infrastructure operations and maintenance. Their dismissal came in response to a series of incidents, culminating in the derailment of a train in Gélida (Barcelona), which resulted in the death of a trainee driver and serious injuries to five others.
The situation was aggravated by widespread train delays and cancellations, drawing sharp criticism from political parties, especially ERC and Junts. These parties demanded not only explanations, but also the immediate resignation of Transport Minister Óscar Puente. President of the Generalitat Salvador Illa also publicly insisted on accountability for what happened.
Tragedy in Andalusia
At the same time as the catastrophe in Catalonia, public attention was drawn to an accident in Adamuz (Córdoba) where a collision between two trains claimed 45 lives. The investigation revealed that a rail welding error caused the tragedy. Despite the scale of the incident, none of Adif’s executives resigned, and Minister Puente retained the support of the government and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez personally.
This contrast in response to events in Catalonia and Andalusia puzzled many observers. While dismissals followed a single casualty and a transport collapse in Barcelona, no personnel decisions were made after the largest rail tragedy in recent years in Andalusia. Public distrust in the principles of accountability within government institutions is growing.
Political consequences
Domestic political tensions escalated after the Socialists tried to present Minister Puente as a model of transparency and openness. In recent days, he has given numerous interviews and held several press conferences, but this has not eased the criticism. New details from the investigation have only fueled the controversy: it was revealed that most of those killed in the Adamus accident were residents of Huelva, which amplified the regional impact of the tragedy.
Other scandals in the transport sector were also brought up. Two years ago, after the so-called ‘fevemocho’—the story of purchasing trains that were too wide for the tunnels in Asturias and Cantabria—there were high-profile resignations. Several senior officials, including the secretary for mobility and the president of Renfe, stepped down at the time. This time, despite the pressure, the minister has remained in office.
Questions of trust
Public attention is now focused on figures close to Minister Puente. His trusted associates, such as Álvaro Fernández Heredia and José Antonio Santano Clavero, continue to hold key positions in the transport ministry. At the same time, the head of Adif, Pedro Marco de la Peña, also remains in his post despite calls for his resignation.
Society increasingly feels that accountability within state-owned companies is selective. While some officials lose their positions after local incidents, others remain in office even after major tragedies. The Spanish public expects not only personnel changes but also real improvements in the management of transport infrastructure.
