Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Spain Defends Rail Investment Amid Crashes
Spain's transport minister said the government has increased spending on train tracks and maintenance.
This comes after two recent train accidents that killed many people.
Some people in the government and experts say Spain hasn't spent enough on train safety.
The minister says spending has gone up a lot since 2017 and is now similar to other European countries.
He also said that in the past, the government spent much less on trains because of financial problems.
Now, they are spending more to make trains safer.
Spain's transport minister defended rail investment increases amid recent deadly crashes.
Maintenance spending per kilometer has risen 66% since 2017, reaching European averages.
Recent crashes in January killed 45 people and one train driver, sparking public scrutiny.
Spain invested 30 billion euros less in rail infrastructure between 2010 and 2018 due to austerity measures.
Current annual rail investment has increased to 5 billion euros in 2025 from 1.7 billion in 2017.
- Who
- Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente
- What
- Defended government's rail investment record
- When
- January 29, 2024
- Where
- Madrid, Spain
- Why
- In response to recent train crashes and public scrutiny
- Date
- January 29, 2024
- Location
- Madrid, Spain
- Recent Crashes
- January 18 (45 dead), January 20 (1 dead)
- Investment Increase
- 66% since 2017
- Current Annual Investment
- 5 billion euros (2025)
- Investment Shortfall (2010-2018)
- 30 billion euros
- European Comparison
- France invests more, Italy less