The Spanish railway market has undergone a significant structural change with the liberalization of the sector, characterized by massive growth in demand on corridors leading to the Valencian Community and a notable reduction in prices. While connections to Valencia and Alicante have doubled their passenger volumes compared to pre-pandemic levels, other routes, such as Madrid-Barcelona, have experienced declines due to technical incidents. This phenomenon demonstrates that the entry of new operators has stimulated competition, increasing accessibility but also revealing operational vulnerabilities in the infrastructure that negatively impact certain priority lines. Paradoxically, although the number of passengers has increased drastically on several corridors, average revenue per passenger remains considerably below 2019 levels. This divergence indicates that the current model is based on high traffic volumes and more competitive prices, suggesting greater saturation and an increased supply of low fares. The general trend toward lower unit prices, even adjusted for inflation, reflects a strategic shift toward volume, although it also highlights the need to better manage service quality to recover lost profitability in key segments. This report is relevant to the open data community because it illustrates the value of open data from the CNMC (National Markets and Competition Commission) for monitoring the real impact of market policies. By providing detailed figures on traffic, revenue, and prices by corridor, it enables transparent analysis of the effectiveness of competition, the evolution of mobility, and the economic health of public transport. These data are essential for researchers, policymakers, and citizens seeking to understand transport dynamics and advocate for evidence-based improvements beyond general narratives.
Source: elperiodic.comPublished on 2026-09-25
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