The railway companies request the "urgent" review of the Adif fees, according to the CNMC

High-speed long distance, the best valued service, despite noting that where there is no competition "prices have risen"

MADRID, 23 May. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The railway companies have demanded the "urgent" review of Adif's fees, in addition to requesting improvements in the management of capacity restrictions, as reported on Tuesday by the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC).

Likewise, they have denounced the shortage of train drivers and the difficulties in putting new rolling stock into service, while they have indicated that their sector has been "discriminated against" by not receiving aid in the context of the energy crisis, for which they have proposed that its "electro-intensive" character be recognized.

The report published by the CNMC shows that high-speed Long Distance is the best valued service, since users have been satisfied with the increase in frequencies and the decrease in prices, despite noting that "where there is no competition, prices have gone up".

Additionally, users of the Cercanías and Media Distancia services have valued the Government subsidies for the last quarter of 2022 "very positively".

This is the first time that the survey, which collects the opinion of railway companies and user representatives on rail freight and passenger transport, includes the opinions of Renfe's competitors in passenger transport, after the entry in 2021 of competition in the high speed.

The railway freight transport companies have been dissatisfied with the situation in the sector, as they denounce the shortage of specialized labor and rolling stock --locomotives and wagons--, as well as the high price of traction energy.

They have also pointed out that the railway has received less aid than the road, although they have been optimistic regarding European funds, the approval of eco-incentives and the development of new railway motorways.

For their part, the representatives of the users of rail freight transport -logistics companies, shippers, transporters and manufacturers and distributors- have stressed that the railway "is not competitive enough" with the road, despite the fact that the assessment global average has improved compared to previous surveys.

Additionally, users have highlighted that the sector lacks the flexibility and agility necessary for its development.

The report shows that the situation of the railway infrastructure is considered "deficient", since users have opined that it does not allow the modulation of the offer to attend urgent services or heavier loads, as well as they have denounced the deficient operation of the terminals , which affects the provision of the service and makes it more expensive.

Users have requested better management of temporary capacity restrictions, motivated by frequent works, and have called for the development of rail corridors and highways that speed up and energize rail freight transport.

In general, the perception of users about the quality of the infrastructures, according to what the CNCM has extracted from the report, is "good".

However, users have highlighted, for example, differences between the main stations and the smaller ones, as well as barriers to mobility and the insufficiency of certain adjacent services, such as ticket sales at the window or mobility assistance service for people with disabilities. special needs.