Spain’s Ministry of Transport has postponed until 1 January 2028 the pilot liberalisation of 3% of rail services subject to Public Service Obligations (PSO), initially planned for 2026.
This measure was supposed to open up competition for part of the trains subsidised, following the EU’s Fourth Railway Package. Still, it is delayed because the administration has not yet specified which services will be put out to tender.
Although Eleconomista.es brought the delay to light this week, an addendum to the current contract with Renfe Viajeros confirmed it at the end of 2024.
The 3% tender, valued at around 60 million euros per year, was envisaged as a first step to attract new operators and gain administrative experience. Companies like Alsa and Ouigo are interested in participating, especially in Avant high-speed services.
The National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) has defended the need to guarantee a level playing field for new operators and calls for the process to be sped up. Thus, the government maintains Renfe’s monopoly on these services until at least 2028, postponing the opening up to competition in line with European legislation.
