Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente summoned over Galicia rail disruptions

The Galician branch of the People’s Party (PPdeG) has demanded that Transport Minister Óscar Puente appear urgently before the Spanish Congress to explain a series of repeated incidents on Galicia’s rail network. Deputies describe the situation as a “caos ferroviario” that has become “endémico, por desgracia de los usuarios”. Specific failures cited include a more‑than‑seven‑hour delay of an AVLO service between Madrid and Vigo on 24 June, a catenary power loss on 2 July that halted the line between A Gudiña and Sanabria for over five hours, and a pantograph failure on 8 July in O Irixo that left the Ourense–Santiago de Compostela stretch without power, affecting more than 15 trains and thousands of passengers.

The PPdeG deputies argue that the incidents damage users’ right to reliable mobility and harm the region’s economy and tourism, urging the government to reveal whether maintenance protocols for Adif’s infrastructure and Renfe’s rolling stock are adequate. They also request answers on the responsibilities of the minister, who oversees both Adif and Renfe, and on the central government’s response to long‑standing complaints from the Galician regional administration.

In parallel, the Socialist council of Pontedeume has submitted a motion calling on the Spanish State and the Xunta de Galicia to invest urgently in rail and inter‑urban bus services, citing the same mobility deficiencies that hamper access to health, education and economic opportunities in the comarca. Both sets of demands highlight the broader impact of the transport shortfalls on regional development and environmental goals.