Spanish AVE high‑speed rail ridership falls 15% in first half of 2026

In the first six months of 2026, Spain’s high‑speed rail services (AVE, Avlo, Ouigo and Iryo) recorded a 15 % drop in passenger numbers, falling to 3.6 million users in June and 15.5 % lower than a year earlier. The decline mirrors a broader fall in long‑distance rail travel, which was down 9.5 % in June to 4.36 million travelers and 8 % for the half‑year, while medium‑distance and commuter (Cercanías) services also saw steep reductions.

The downturn is attributed to growing passenger distrust after frequent delays, technical failures and a serious crash near Adamuz, prompting speed restrictions on parts of the network. Transport Minister Óscar Puente has publicly described the railway’s performance as its “best moment,” a view challenged by the statistics released by the National Statistics Institute (INE). In contrast, domestic airlines, long‑distance buses and maritime services reported modest gains in the same period, indicating a shift in inter‑urban travel preferences.