Madrid-Sevilla high-speed line to run fewer trains until ERTMS replaces LZB signalling

In brief

• Spain will run fewer trains on the Madrid-Sevilla high-speed line until the ERTMS system replaces LZB, expected in early 2027.
• The cabinet approved measures including new control-centre technology, changed safety protocols and a second controller supervising train-driver orders.
• The government is allocating 30 million euros in aid to people affected by the Urda crash, which killed 69 people.

Fewer trains on the Madrid-Sevilla corridor

The Ministry of Transport has decided to reduce the number of services on the Madrid-Sevilla line until the ERTMS safety system enters into operation in place of the older LZB system, which is expected in the first weeks of 2027 (Transportes reducirá la circulación en la vía Madrid-Sevilla para separar más los trenes hasta que esté en pie el nuevo sistema de seguridad ERTMS – EL PAÍS). Minister Óscar Puente has said it is clear that frequencies must come down until the switch is complete (El Ejecutivo reducirá las frecuencias en la línea Madrid-Sevilla hasta que se cambie el sistema de seguridad – Expansión). The reduction applies only to the southern corridor and is meant to increase the separation between trains.

Measures approved by the cabinet

The cabinet on Tuesday approved a package of measures aimed at the reliability of the rail system. Adif will receive new technology in its traffic control centres, which are spread across the conventional and high-speed networks, and its control and safety protocols will be changed. Working conditions for Adif staff in those roughly twenty centres will also improve. Puente said a second controller will have to supervise every order given to train drivers from Adif's control centres (Última hora del accidente de trenes de Urda, en Toledo, en directo | La línea Madrid-Sevilla se reactivará con menos trenes hasta que esté en funcionamiento el nuevo sistema de seguridad – EL PAÍS).

Support for victims

The government will allocate 30 million euros to aid for those affected by the accident. Other steps include doubling the compulsory passenger insurance, bringing forward compensation payments, creating a specific temporary-incapacity procedure and opening offices to assist victims. The Integrated Data Centre said all 69 dead have been identified, 54 Spanish and 15 foreign nationals, and their families have been notified. Castilla-La Mancha's regional government reported that 26 injured people remain in hospital in the region, seven of them in intensive care.

Political reaction

Puente has ruled out resigning after the crash. He was due to appear before the Congress's standing deputation the same afternoon to explain the circumstances of the tragedy. The PP, Vox, PNV and Junts, which together hold 35 of the 69 seats on that body, are expected to demand his resignation.

Questions readers may have

Who is affected? Passengers on the Madrid-Sevilla high-speed line will see fewer services until the new signalling system is in operation.

From when? The new system is expected to enter operation in the first weeks of 2027.

What does the government spend? The aid package for those affected is 30 million euros.

What comes next? Adif will introduce the new control-centre technology and protocols, and the ERTMS system is expected to replace LZB in early 2027.

Read also

• Urda rail crash: what the controller audio and signalling logs show, and what remains open