Spain: CNMC to force Renfe to lease trains to competition

The National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) of Spain has issued a resolution according to which the public railway company Renfe will have to lease its trains to the private sector, pending the liberalization of passenger transport.

The resolution will mostly affect freight trains, the only division in which Renfe does not currently have a monopoly. Rail freight transport was opened to competition on January 1, 2005 and although there are more and more private players in the market, in total in Spain, fewer and fewer tons are transported and less income is generated.

From 2020 the CNMC will also impose the lease of trains to Renfe for commercial passenger trains: this is the date marked by the IV Railway Package of the European Commission, which demands the introduction private competition in high-speed lines and conventional rail.

Full Content: El Independiente

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