June 15 () –
The Popular Parliamentary Group has requested this Saturday the appearances of the presidents of Renfe and Adif, Raül Blanco and Ángel Contreras, respectively, due to the incidents registered in the railway transport network.
The blue formation has stated in a press release that, between June 3 and 13, more than 338 incidents have occurred, affecting more than 67,500 passengers, which have resulted in more than 10,300 compensation payments.
Likewise, the PP has presented, along with this measure, a battery of questions for the Government to report on the consequences of its “lack of action, investment and maintenance of the railway network.”
This action is part of the one initiated on May 20 by the autonomous communities governed by the PP and for which the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, was asked to convene the sectoral conference to address the “regrettable state” of the railway network. and the “continuous incidents” that occur.
In their letter, the regional executives governed by the PP argued that “constant and recurring incidents in certain railway services” had been observed for several months without “a rigorous explanation of what happened and without measures being adopted.”
On this point, the PP deputy secretary of Economy, Juan Bravo, has stressed that Puente’s role is a “scandal” and has concluded that “it is evident that the Government does not govern.”
“Due to his inability [del Gobierno] approving budgets, the investment and maintenance items of the railway network have been seriously affected,” Bravo added.
CHANGES IN THE PUNCTUALITY POLICY
On the other hand, the PP has criticized Renfe’s announcement to modify the conditions of its commitment to punctuality and its refund policy in railway services.
Specifically, Renfe has eliminated the compensation that it until now offered for delays of 15 and 30 minutes on the AVE, and starting in July it will only compensate for delays of a minimum of 60 minutes, thus limiting itself to complying with Spanish regulations.
Until now, Renfe stood out among all operators for offering a commitment to punctuality much higher than the minimum required by legislation, returning 50% of the ticket for a delay of more than 15 minutes and 100% if the train arrived more than 30 minutes. late.
Starting next July 1, as reported by the operator last Thursday on the occasion of updating its punctuality commitment, to receive 50% of the ticket price, the delay will have to be equal to or greater than 60 minutes, while To receive 100% you will have to delay more than 90 minutes.
Regarding this series of modifications, Bravo has focused on the fact that they represent “a worsening of the commitment to punctuality” and has stated that “instead of fixing the problem, which is what they are paid for, they are dedicated to burdening users with their incompetence”.
The PP has presented a battery of questions to find out if this measure is based on technical reports, if it is temporary or permanent and what the delays are, their average time and amounts of returns and compensation for the last 6 years to correctly evaluate the question.
APPEARANCE OF HEREU FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF ANFAC
The PP has announced that it will request the appearance of the Minister of Industry, Jordi Hereu, to give explanations about the resignation of the president of the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers (Anfac, employers’ association of the automobile sector), Wayne Griffiths.
For the popular ones, Griffiths’ resignation is due to “the lack of commitment” to the sector”, while Griffiths himself, who holds the position of executive president of Seat/Cupra, blamed his decision to resign from the position of Anfac for the “inaction of the Government in favor of electrification”.
The communities governed by the PP, in their letter dated May 20, also requested to address the road transport concession map, since “it entails cuts in the benefits committed until now.”
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