Spain’s high‑speed rail liberalisation doubles passengers, slashes fares

high‑speed rail Spain liberalisation passenger growth fare reduction

Spain’s railway regulator CNMC reported that high‑speed passenger numbers have doubled since 2019, reaching 44.5 million in 2025. Real‑price fares have fallen 40‑50 % on most routes after market opening allowed private operators Ouigo and Iryo to compete with incumbent Renfe. Prices on the Madrid‑Valencia corridor are about half of 2019 levels, while the Madrid‑Barcelona line saw a 15 % fare rise but still operates profitably.

Iryo announced a summer service boost on the Madrid‑Málaga route, adding 28 weekly frequencies and 12 900 seats, while infrastructure work by Adif reduced travel time by ten minutes on the Antequera‑Los Prados stretch.

Separately, Adif restored double‑track on the Málaga‑Granada‑Madrid high‑speed line after a landslip, but the sector still faces operational challenges. A recent CNMC snapshot showed a 21 % decline in Andalusian high‑speed travelers in the first quarter of the year, with a 61 % drop on the Málaga corridor. Repeated cable thefts—over 400 complaints nationwide—have caused delays and cancellations across routes, prompting calls for stricter penalties.