The Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, has indicated that "some units" of the new commuter trains committed to Cantabria and Asturias could already be operational in the first half of 2027, after the failure of previous models that "did not fit through the tunnels".
"In testing, without a doubt. And from there, I hope we can put them into service," he indicated this Saturday in Reinosa, when asked by the media about these trains, whose manufacturing began in February 2024. The regional government has demanded a clear production and delivery schedule from the Ministry, and has reiterated its intention to visit CAF's facilities to check the progress of the work firsthand.
High-speed rail and Alvia stop in Reinosa
In the area of high-speed rail, the Ministry of Transport will present the project for the future Reinosa AVE station next July, as well as the proposal for railway integration as it passes through the municipality.
Likewise, the Alvia train stop in Reinosa, which was suppressed on the route to Madrid, will be restored in the autumn. The reinstatement is expected for September or October, once the works in the Palencia area, aimed at relocating the gauge changer to a point that allows for reduced travel times, are completed.
Puente detailed these actions in statements to the press before participating in an event to mark the centenary of the PSOE in Reinosa. He explained that the recovery of the Alvia stop responds to the request of the new mayor, Sergio Balbontín, after a meeting with Renfe officials.
Defense of the Ministry's investment in Cantabria
The minister took advantage of his stay in Cantabria—coinciding with criticism from a PP leader in a regional media outlet—to assert that his department has allocated "40 percent more" investment to the autonomous community in recent years than previous administrations, "even one from Cantabria from the Popular Party during the Mariano Rajoy era," he remarked, alluding to Iñigo de la Serna, former minister and former mayor of Santander.
Puente specified that this increase does not include the investment in the high-speed line between Alar del Rey and Palencia, which is being developed in the territory of Castilla y León, although "obviously, it is planned to provide connection and continuity for high-speed rail towards Cantabria."
In this regard, he has underlined that Transport is "advancing very intensely" in the Palencia section, financed in part with European funds, which requires a relevant part of the works to be completed before June 30 to maintain said aid.
In parallel, the Ministry is working on alternatives so that the connection on the Cantabrian side can be launched without waiting for all sections to be finished, such as the Nogales link, which could be ready in July. "We are also thinking about other types of solutions and we will make them public soon," he added.