The new AVE high-speed rail link between Málaga and Madrid has been in operation for one month now and, after the initial problems with onboard computers, some 98.74% of the trains are arriving on time.
The line is proving very popular and successful, transporting 106,190 passengers in the first month. an increase of 72% on the number who used the Talgo 200 during the same period last year. RENFE chief José Salgueiro puts the increase down to two main factors, one being that the AVE is attracting travelers from other forms of transport, and the other being simply that more people are deciding to travel now that the journey time is only two and a half hours.
Even at 300 kph you can’t get away from politics and upcoming elections. The IU party has asked the Electoral Board, the body regulating electoral conduct, to issue an order to withdraw a video currently being made available to AVE passengers on the grounds that it is clearly an electioneering device for the incumbent transport minister and prospective PSOE candidate, Magdalena Alvarez…..