Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente defended the government's rail investment record during a contentious senate hearing after two January accidents, one of which killed 45 people. He said maintenance spending per kilometre rose 66% since 2017 and annual investment increased to about €5 billion in 2025 from €1.7 billion in 2017. Puente rejected claims by EU data and industry experts that spending has not kept pace with network growth and pointed to a €30 billion shortfall tied to post-crisis austerity measures.
Spain Defends Rail Investment Record After Deadly January Crashes
Emergency personnel work next to one of the trains involved in the accident, near Adamuz, in Cordoba, Spain, January 19. REUTERS/Susana Vera
Madrid — Spain's transport minister defended his government's record on rail investment at a heated senate hearing following two fatal incidents in January, including a high-speed crash that killed 45 people. Minister Óscar Puente said the government has increased maintenance spending and overall investment to address years of underfunding.
Senate Hearing and Public Backlash
Puente faced tough questioning from senators and was heckled by opposition lawmakers who shouted "resign" as he approached the podium. He acknowledged public concern while stressing the government has stepped up spending to improve safety and upkeep across the national network.
"Maintenance spending per kilometre has risen 66% since 2017 and is now at or above the European average," Puente told senators.
Funding Figures and Context
Puente said annual rail investment has climbed to around €5 billion in 2025 from roughly €1.7 billion in 2017. He also told lawmakers that Spain invested about €30 billion less in rail infrastructure between 2010 and 2018 than it would have if pre-financial-crisis spending levels had been maintained, a shortfall he attributed in part to austerity measures implemented by the conservative People's Party when it governed between 2011 and 2018.
Puente compared Spain's per-kilometre maintenance spending with other European countries, saying France invests slightly more while Italy spends less. He rejected criticism from some European Commission data and industry experts that investment has not kept pace with the rapid expansion of the rail network and rising passenger numbers.
Recent Accidents
A high-speed rail crash on January 18 in southern Spain killed 45 people, and a derailment two days later in Catalonia claimed the life of a train driver. The incidents have intensified scrutiny of rail safety, maintenance practices and infrastructure funding.
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