I was lying awake during this night pondering things while my insomnia took hold as usual. I started browsing the web and came across a number of articles in today’s news about the Spanish development of high speed railways. It hasn’t all gone rosy but I have to say I am beyond gobsmacked. Three things emerged:
- Spain has the second best network punctuality rate in the entire world – 98.5%;
- It is aiming to have 10,000km of high speed track by 2020, the biggest network in the world;
- Renfe, the railway operator, is entirely stated owned.
One thing to note:
- Britain has 80 miles of high speed track.
The amazing story is that Spain has just started a new 186mph (300kph) service from Madrid to Barcelona. 410 miles (660km) in just 2.5 hours. The airlines are set for some huge competition, especially since all of the airport security hassle is negated when traveling by train and you can also use mobile phones and laptops on this new service. Flying takes about 3 hours door to door compared with this.
By comparison, London to Glasgow which is a shorter distance than this new line takes 4.5 hours with the fastest possible service but usually between 5 and 6 hours.
The other amazing thing is that the single fare that will be charged to passengers will be from 40 to 165 euros depending on class traveled and how far in advance it is booked. The walk on single fare for the shorter London to Glasgow route for second class is £130, or 172 euros. The first class open return fare is an eye watering £379, or 500 euros.
Interestingly, the train operator will give a fare refund of 50% if the train is 15-30 minutes and a full refund if the train is more than 30 minutes late. That is really customer service – from a state company.
It must be all of that private sector innovation that we are paying for these days. Train companies bleat on here about the cost being much lower for advance fares in our overly complex fare structure. Other countries offer low cost, affordable walk-on rail fares.
Spain isn’t just stopping there, however. There are plans as soon as this year to install new signalling that allows trains on the line to travel at 220mph (350kph) making the journey time faster still.
More information: