He assures that this will be a “high impact” measure for citizens, who will save about 300 euros in three months
The new star measure of the government is the free shuttle and medium-distance trains that will be applied on September 1. Transport Minister Raquel Sánchez, who just a few months ago faced the biggest strike by carriers due to high fuel prices, is defending a decision that will allow the executive branch to show that the middle class benefits more from aid.
-Is the total discount a result of the government expecting oil to remain very expensive and is it the way to opt for public transport?
-In a scenario like the current one, which is subject to so many uncertainties, the motivation for this measure is to try to help the middle and working class. We hope it will have an additional effect, which is to attract more users to public transport. Without the measures taken, inflation would be three and a half points higher than it is today.
-How many people benefit from free trains?
-It could benefit about 75 million trips taking into account the demand of the year 2019. Perhaps there is an increase in demand because of the greater appeal this tip will have. Hopefully this will be the case, because we too have room to respond to this increasing demand. We are at a demand level that is about 80% of what we had before the covid and we think this measure could cause an additional demand of 15% or 20%.
-How do those areas benefit where the Cercanías network is not so much used?
-This is where the knowledge of each area that both the municipalities and the communities have comes into play and thus the ability they have to increase that bonus from 30%, even up to 100%. But at least there will be savings because it is a high-impact measure and it will help domestic economies. We have made some calculations that indicate that a citizen can save about 250 or 300 euros in the next three months.
-Do you know how far the communities will go with the aid?
-Catalonia is going to expand it to 50%. On those days, they each analyze their situation and will notify or make their decision public.
– Has the government taken a political turn this week with these latest proposals?
-We have shown at all times and in all the crises we have faced that it is a government that is committed to the most vulnerable, but also to the middle and working class. When we approved the first anti-crisis decree, we said it was valid for three months because we wanted to monitor the situation, the evolution of the economy, evaluate prices and what the impact of the crisis is. And I believe it was now time to take new measures.
-In terms of housing, the young deposit is expected to be applied for from July, but it is still possible to apply for it in almost no municipality. Why is it lagging?
-The calls must be made by the communities. They have been able to publish them since April and there are four (Catalonia, Valencian Community, Asturias and Galicia) who have already done so and we understand that the rest will do so in the coming weeks because we know they will finish them. These subsidies will in any case come into effect on 1 January.
– The limitation of 2% of the rent increase can lead to price increases because there is less supply?
-We’re trying to send a message that we’re having a really hard time and that everyone needs to take matters into their own hands. It is a measure that does not unbalance the real estate market. No, it doesn’t have to have such a negative impact on the rental market.
-How can tourism be reactivated with the collapse of airports in Europe?
-We have data that indicates a very positive summer and the problems are in European airports, but Aena is trading in Spain in a very reliable way. We have to appreciate that thanks to the ERTE we are not forced into a situation of lack of personnel as in other countries. Spain is prepared and responding to these incidents.
– Not all AVE frequencies have been restored yet and prices have skyrocketed…
-We know those complaints from users. We have had some very difficult years and we are doing very important work to restore the frequencies, in some areas 100% has already been reached. As for the pricing system, if the citizen anticipates the purchase, he can benefit from very interesting discounts. You have to change the habit in the acquisition.
-How will you solve the AVE Madrid-Málaga frequency problem reported by users?
-We have introduced one more frequency, but also double-compiled trains, whereby we understand that this frequency will also lead to a capacity expansion. We are aware of this situation occurring in Malaga and it is one of our priorities. We will include train drivers and we may also add new rolling stock to Renfe’s fleet. Therefore, it is clear that we are aware of this situation and that we will act as a matter of priority in Malaga.
– The Extremadura high-speed line will be officially inaugurated on Monday. When is full electrification planned?
In a year. The prediction is that it will be electrified in a year.
-And when will the connection between Plasencia and Madrid be ready? Because going this route is the key to making this line work really well.
We are currently active in all sections. There are some who are more advanced than others, in the project or study phase it is true. But we must be aware that we have passed a first milestone, that of high speed in Extremadura. Now efforts should be focused on the line connecting to Madrid. We cannot but appreciate the inauguration of the Extremadura line, which will be put into service on the 19th, as this commissioning will bring very significant savings on the connections between Extremadura and Madrid. We are aware that what we have left now is that part that allows us to connect with Madrid.
-The great doubt that now affects Asturias is related to the Huerna toll, the only direct route that allows connection to the Meseta. When does the bonus start to reduce the cost of this toll?
-We are going to approve this extended bonus next Tuesday in the next Council of Ministers, which will allow it to be applied to the Huerna toll. This has already been agreed. It was announced a few months ago but we had to communicate with the Principality of Asturias how they wanted this bonus to work which means extending the existing bonuses.
Will that decision take effect immediately?
Yes, it’s done right away.
-The Mediterranean Corridor is one of the infrastructures experiencing the most delays, despite the request from the various communities to speed it up. What forecasts are there?
I would like to highlight everything that has been done in recent years. Since 2018, we have commissioned another 233 kilometers of the Corridor. We perform in all sections and in all areas it runs through. We have a more short-term goal so that the high speed between Almería and the French border will be ready by the year 2026. I think it is very important both the European funds, which provide for investment in the Mediterranean Corridor, and the general state budgets, which this year allocate EUR 1,700 million to the Mediterranean Corridor, excluding the Atlantic Corridor, which is also important. I think sometimes there are autonomous communities that keep complaining that things are not moving forward, when the reality is that they are. What happens is that when we talk about infrastructures, they take time, a complexity in implementation. Since 2018 we have put 233 kilometers into use.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
