Spain weighs whether to suspend Madrid-Barcelona high-speed line

Transport Minister Óscar Puente said Tuesday that the Spanish government has not yet decided whether to suspend the Madrid–Barcelona high-speed (AVE) line during future renovation works. 

Puente acknowledged that he "understands" the position of Catalan President Salvador Illa, who on Monday advocated carrying out the renovations with "minimal" disruption to service. 

Speaking at a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Puente said he wanted to "make it clear" that the government has not "reached a decision." The minister promised the final decision would come after consulting users, technical experts and the areas affected.

"This is a decision we will have to make when the time comes," he said, acknowledging that his remarks Friday may have led to "misinterpretations." "Perhaps I did not express myself clearly, and I take responsibility for that."

Puente noted that in a similar case in Germany, service was suspended and the first month after it resumed was "horrible." That sparked a debate over whether it was worth keeping the line closed for a year only to run into problems when service resumed.

By contrast, he said, Spain has traditionally kept service running while modifying it to accommodate construction work, and technical solutions exist to allow both at the same time. 

He suggested that this approach better "guarantees the right to mobility" than the German model of closing the line entirely.

No Sumar minister has called for Puente's resignation

Asked about calls for his resignation after the train accident in Toledo, Puente said none of the Sumar ministers in the cabinet have made such a demand. 

"Neither inside nor outside [the government] has any colleague asked for my resignation," he said.

Puente is scheduled to appear in Congress Tuesday afternoon to give further details on last week's train collision. He said he expects a calm and constructive debate.

AI to monitor the rail network

Puente also announced that artificial intelligence programs will be used to "minimize" human error in the control of the rail network. 

"We will create an AI agent and a digital twin of the network," Puente said. "Which will be tasked with overseeing the system's operation, anticipating scenarios, detecting anomalies, and monitoring communications between train drivers and controllers, thereby facilitating the work of staff and minimizing the potential for human error."

"We are venturing into uncharted territory," he said. "We are not aware of any other railway system that employs this type of mechanism or technology." 

He said the government's "extraordinary plan for substantive improvements" to the rail system will focus on three areas: technological innovation, control and safety protocols, and human resources.