Stakeholders Demand Alternatives to Full Closure
The Ministry of Transport's proposal to suspend high-speed rail services between Barcelona and Madrid for up to two years is facing strong opposition from engineering bodies and business organisations. The plan, under consideration by Transport Minister Óscar Puente, aims to accelerate the renewal of the AVE line by halting train traffic completely during the works, potentially reducing a five-year project to between 12 and 24 months. The College of Civil Engineers of Catalonia has led the criticism, warning that such a prolonged disruption to the strategic rail corridor is unacceptable. Its dean, Pere Calvet, stressed the importance of maintaining connectivity and proposed a temporary reduction in train frequencies as a viable alternative. This approach would allow essential maintenance work to proceed while preserving passenger services.
Business Groups Warn of Economic Impact
Pimec, the Catalan association for small and medium-sized enterprises, has echoed these concerns, highlighting the direct impact on regional business activity. The organisation insists that the Barcelona-Madrid route must remain open, acknowledging the need for modernisation but rejecting a total shutdown. Business groups in Aragon have also voiced alarm. Cepyme Aragón underlined that rail connectivity is crucial for maintaining regional competitiveness. The Zaragoza Chamber of Commerce has called for caution and urged consultation with technical teams before any final decision is made, emphasising the need to preserve continuous travel options for regular users.
We are studying whether it would be advisable to concentrate the works during a service interruption or to keep traffic running while the work progresses more slowly.
High Passenger Volume Raises Stakes
The Barcelona-Madrid AVE corridor carried more than 14.4 million passengers in 2025, averaging around 39,450 daily journeys, according to the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC). A complete closure would place immense pressure on alternative transport modes, including air and road, none of which can fully replicate the capacity and speed of the current rail service. Renfe has stated that the proposal remains under assessment, with no alternative transport plans yet developed. The final decision, which has not been confirmed, will determine the start date and affected services. Stakeholders are calling for an open negotiation table with the central administration to balance infrastructure improvements with the continuity of essential transport services.
Sources: El Catalán, El Periódico, 20minutos, EUROPA PRESS (Archivo.
