Spain Adds to Its High-Speed Rail Network

[marmar]

via Mass Transit Mag:



Sinikka Tarvainen and Hubert Kahl
dpa, Berlin


SPAIN - Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia on Saturday inaugurated a new line in the country's high-speed rail network, which is being billed as the most advanced in Europe.

The royal couple took the high-speed AVE train from Madrid to Valencia on the eastern Mediterranean coast. Other passengers on board included Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Infrastructure Minister Jose Blanco.

On Wednesday, Crown Prince Felipe had inaugurated another stretch of the same line, which branches off to Albacete in the south-east.

The new rail line "marks a milestone in the expansion of our high- speed network ... which today becomes one of the most modern and extensive in the world," the king said after arriving in Valencia. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.masstransitmag.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=3&id=13225

[HopeHoops]

1. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but, but, we've got, um, we've got, uh, the DC beltway!!!

:puke:

Damn I hate that road.

[Ron Green]

2. But...but.....they've got all that population density!

Just look at the picture!

[damntexdem]

And the U.S. adds to its . . . lack of a high-speed rail network.

Well, after all, we DO have to fight endless wars instead, don't we?

[Kennah]

3. That's nothing!

Here's what we're up to in the U.S.

[CurtEastPoint]

4. How's that compare with Amtrak? Let's see...

Spain's AVE: 242 mile trip, at up to 205 miles per hour takes about 1.5 hours and prices from 80 - 143 Euros ($105 - $188), Madrid to Valencia.


Equivalent distance in the US: from DC to NYC via Amtrak in around 2 - 3.5 hours. Prices from $76 - 158.


Sounds good to me!

[karynnj]

5. My husband, a British friend and I took the high speed train from Malaga to Madrid last summer

It was very nice, very comfortable, and had a movie - where you could get the audio in several languages. It was great seeing areas, we otherwise would never have seen.

Then last Monday, I took Amtrak from Boston to NYC. The engine failed and needed to be "rebooted" at least 4 times - and then towed the last 15 or so miles into NYC - time about 6 hours. All the while, I was remembering every post on the need for good, high quality high speed rail. Conclusion: If we don't act, we will be a third rate nation.

[social_critic]

6. Spain's high speed rail is a loser

I just read an analysis in El Pais, a Spanish newspaper, about their high speed rail. The author concluded the high speed rail is a money loser, and they should have focused on slightly slower service with more stops.

[CurtEastPoint]

7. And the article also stated that plus...

The AVE network has been praised for reviving poorer regions, boosting technological exports and improving Spain's transport connections with the rest of Europe.

Critics, however, say not all of the AVE lines are profitable and that Spain is neglecting the potential offered by traditional trains.