A new day of railway havoc hit Spain in the early hours of the morning, adding to the long list of incidents that have severely impacted citizens’ mobility for years under the Socialist government. This time, the high-speed line between Madrid and Seville was completely paralyzed for more than 13 hours, affecting over 10,000 passengers and forcing the cancellation or delay of nearly 30 trains.
The ministry of transport attributed the incident to suspected sabotage, citing the theft of around 300 meters of cable at five different locations in the province of Toledo. Although the stolen material is estimated to be worth barely 300 euros, the consequences were catastrophic: a total service shutdown during the busy return operation from the Labor Day holiday, coinciding with the run-up to Seville’s April Fair.
Sabotage or lack of foresight?
The Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, insisted that this was a “serious and deliberate act,” highlighting the professionalism of the theft: precise cuts at different points along the line, capable of leaving the route “blind.” However, beyond the official narrative, travelers are left with a strong sense of déjà vu. The railway network, particularly the Madrid commuter lines (Cercanías), has been suffering progressive deterioration for years, affecting hundreds of thousands of daily users. Delays and breakdownsí have become the rule rather than the exception.
This time, the chaos was not limited to the cable theft. Additional breakdowns were reported in Córdoba, further multiplying the disruptions and once again exposing the fragility of the infrastructure. Although about 70% of the service had been restored by early afternoon, delays continued, with no viable transportation alternatives or immediate compensation provided by the authorities.
It is hard to forget how, during past emergencies—such as the recent DANA storm in Valencia, which left large areas cut off for 72 hours—the government’s response was typically delayed and disorganized, with no senior official ever taking political responsibility. Today’s railway incident seems to be following the same path: after the initial alarm, the authorities quickly turned to the usual strategy of blaming “external elements,” avoiding any self-criticism regarding the maintenance of the network or investment in safety and prevention.
The People’s Party’s economic spokesperson, Juan Bravo, one of those affected by the breakdown, publicly called for a full audit of the railway network, describing the situation as “the new normal under an overwhelmed government.” High-speed rail, once a source of international pride, has now become, in Bravo’s words, “a catastrophic model under this government.”
The railway chaos has once again tested the patience of thousands of travelers and exposed, yet again, the structural deficiencies and lack of political diligence that characterize the Socialist government’s management of public transportation in Spain. Meanwhile, taxes continue to rise, justified precisely by promises to improve public services.
