The Spanish railway industry association Mafex maintains that assigning primary responsibility to manufacturers for delays in train deliveries, as suggested by Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente, reduces an inherently complex issue to a simplistic narrative.
In remarks reported by 20 Minutos, the association stresses that delays arise from “multiple elements” throughout the project lifecycle. Rolling stock production involves an extensive ecosystem of suppliers and specialists, where a single disruption or component shortfall can significantly impact programme schedules.
Among the principal factors identified are the technical complexity of modern rolling stock projects, constraints in the availability of key components, and shortages of skilled labour. Mafex also highlights the role of validation, homologation and authorisation processes, which are governed by both national and European regulatory frameworks. Upstream phases, including procurement planning by operators and public authorities, are likewise cited as critical determinants.
The association—representing 121 companies including major OEMs such as Alstom, CAF, Siemens and Stadler—welcomes the prominence of competitiveness and delivery timelines in the European policy debate. However, it rejects the notion of a structural shortfall in industrial capacity, instead underscoring the technological leadership of the European rail supply sector and its economic significance in Spain, where it supports more than 40,000 jobs.
Mafex calls for a “shared approach” encompassing improved demand forecasting, greater standardisation of processes, and streamlined certification procedures. These measures are framed against a backdrop of robust global growth in rail transport, which requires capacity expansion without compromising efficiency.