Transport: Spanish and Portuguese politicians against rerouting Madrid overnight train
The Portuguese Railway Infrastructure Manager (REFER) said the closure of the Cáceres branch line was part of Portugal’s Strategic Transport Plan.
Local politicians in Portugal and Spain said Friday, 10 August, they would hold a joint protest over the closure of the Cáceres branch line that is forcing the overnight Madrid sleeper train to change its route.
The Portuguese Railway Infrastructure Manager (REFER) said the closure was part of the guidelines established in the Portuguese government’s Strategic Transport Plan.
The 80 km section of track between Torre de Vargens and the Spanish border was only used by this one international service and some freight trains.
CP, the Portuguese train operator, said Friday the change-over would save millions as electric traction could now be used for the entire journey rather than having a diesel locomotive pull the electric train over the non-electrified branch line.
The departure and arrival times remain unchanged.
Related Articles
About Author
(1) Reader Comment
Leave a Reply
| Today | Sunday | Monday |
|---|---|---|
 Chance of Rain 16°/10° | Chance of Rain 17°/11° |  Chance of Rain 17°/12° |
Trip Advisor ranking: Lisbon clinches first place for friendly locals and best value for money
Also visit my web site ...
Motorways: Electronic tolls explained
What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable fami
Press Review – Lisbon Mayor António Costa to announce bid for re-election
Press Review – Lisbon Mayor António Costa to announce bid for re-elect
Our Partners
PG
You can hardly say that the Portuguese government has a real Strategic Transport Plan . This transport plan would seem to date from the 1970 and 1980′s where everything , like the rest of Europe , was road based .
Today there is a need for a new fast rail transport infrastructure , not only serving larger areas of Portugal ,
but also having good international connections , this will also be a big driver for tourism .
Rail should not be limited to bigger cities , it is an essential service for many people , especially the older population .
It would seem that many governments including Portugal have forgotten that there is a need for essential services all over the country , not just centralised on big cities . Also this centralisation is leading to overcrowding and pollution in the larger cities , and in the future these areas may have to be taxed as polluting .
With an aging population it will be necessary to have a good mixed transport infrastructure , this cannot be left in the hands of local regions , it has to be planned nationaly and with foresight.