The high-speed rail connection between Madrid and Andalucía could resume service on 14 November, a little more than two weeks after the accident that occurred in Urda (Toledo). According to what has been advanced by Diario de Sevilla, which cites sources familiar with the work, that is the date being considered to restore traffic on one of the country’s main railway corridors, although there is still no official confirmation of the reopening.
The forecast depends on the completion of the recovery of remains and biological evidence at the scene of the accident and on technical teams being able to begin the removal of the derailed trains. Once the area is cleared, the work will focus on assessing the damage suffered by the infrastructure, repairing the affected elements and checking that circulation can be restored safely.
14 November is, therefore, a working horizon and not a guaranteed date. The duration of the removal and repair operations, as well as the subsequent technical checks, will determine when effective reopening can be authorized.
The removal of the accident trains, the next step
The impact and the subsequent derailment have caused damage to the track, the extent of which must be determined during the technical work. The work could be carried out more quickly than that carried out after the Adamuz accident, since the Urda investigation is focused on the actions of the railway control center in Atocha and on the information from the trains’ recorders.
In any case, the forecast reopening remains contingent on the progress of the work and on the decisions of Adif, as the infrastructure administrator.
Renfe keeps ticket sales blocked until December
While work is underway on the recovery of the line, Renfe has suspended the sale of new tickets for high-speed services between Madrid and Andalucía until 13 December, a decision that should not be confused with the expected date for restoring circulation.
According to the explanations from the operator collected by Diario de Sevilla, the recovery of the service will depend on Adif’s authorization. If the infrastructure can be reopened before December, Renfe will be able to resume its services without needing to wait until the date set for the suspension of sales.
The other operators have also adapted their offer to the disruption of the corridor. Ouigo had canceled its reservations until November 2, while Iryo had closed purchases and was managing refunds for trips until November 8.
Renfe's alternative transport is delayed at least until November 3
The disruption of the corridor has also forced Renfe to prepare an alternative transport plan for travelers who need to travel between Madrid and Andalucía.
The operator had planned to put it into operation this Friday, October 30, but its implementation has been delayed after the train drivers' union SEMAF demanded compliance with the regulatory 96-hour deadline to modify the service rosters.
As a consequence, the plan will not be able to begin before Tuesday, November 3. Renfe has committed to communicate before that date the final design of the operation, including the schedules, routes, available services and the expected time for its entry into operation.
The possible reopening on November 14 would make it possible to restore the high-speed connection between Madrid and Andalucía fifteen days before the general elections on November 29, provided that the removal, repair and inspection tasks for the infrastructure are completed within the deadlines currently being handled.