Here is every thing we find out about potential new prepare connections between Spain and Portugal.
Spain’s nationwide rail operator has lately launched new routes connecting to main cities in France.
ADVERTISEMENTNow, hearsay has it that Renfe has its sights set on Portugal.
Numerous media shops have reported that it’s launching companies linking Madrid and Lisbon, and the northwest Spanish port metropolis of A Coruña with Porto.
The 2 international locations’ capitals haven’t been linked by a direct prepare since 2020, when Renfe discontinued its in a single day train-hotel service.
Right here’s every thing we all know to date.
Spanish trains may reap the benefits of Portugal’s new high-speed line
Portugal is growing a new high-speed prepare line, the primary a part of which is because of be accomplished in 2024.
The 100km line from Elvas to Evora will minimize the journey time between Lisbon in west Portugal and Badajoz in west Spain from three-and-a-half to below two hours.
Will probably be a part of a wider Iberian high-speed rail community that will even join Lisbon to Porto in round 1 hour quarter-hour – lower than half the time it at present takes.
In keeping with Spanish information website La Información, it’s hoped the road will join Madrid and Lisbon by way of Badajoz in six hours by 2027.
The coastal line, in the meantime, may lengthen to Vigo, Santiago and A Coruña in northwest Spain, whereas Madrid could possibly be linked to Porto by way of Salamanca.
“There are not any particular plans confirmed or authorized in the meanwhile regarding Portugal,” a Renfe spokesperson mentioned when contacted by Euronews Journey.
Nevertheless, they did affirm that the Madrid-Extremadura high-speed rail line – at present below building – will join with the Portuguese metropolis of Evora in future. By 2030, this line is projected to increase to Lisbon by way of Poceirão.
ADVERTISEMENTWhy is there no prepare line between Spain and Portugal?
Renfe wants to speculate €15 million to adapt a part of its rolling inventory to Portuguese infrastructure, in response to La Información.
Numerous infrastructure points should be addressed earlier than cross-border trains can function. These embody discrepancies in electrical voltages and signalling methods that aren’t anticipated to be resolved till a minimum of 2025, the information website stories.
Portugal’s railway supervisor Infraestruturas de Portugal and state operator Comboios de Portugal (CP) say they’re but to obtain formal discover of Renfe’s plans.
Earlier this 12 months although, the Spanish and Portuguese prime ministers endorsed plans to enhance prepare connectivity between their two international locations in keeping with the EU’s plan to liberalise Europe’s railways.
Renfe stopped working the Madrid-Lisbon Trenhotel Lusitania in Might 2020 because of the pandemic, and by no means resumed the service.
