Spain: CNMC approves private companies to compete with national Railway operator

The National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) has given the go-ahead to end national railway operator Renfe’s monopoly over high-speed passenger transport and Long-haul journeys within Spain’s territory.

The ‘super-regulator’ will allow new competitors to provide passenger transport services at different stations in the same country, even if their service is ultimately a cross-border route.

To this end, however, the CNMC will require the new operator to comply with a number of conditions in terms of the number of travellers with international destinations and the economic viability of the routes, which, in practice, limits the possibilities of offering serious competition to Renfe.

At least 30% of all travellers on the service must have originated or plan to terminate their journey abroad. In addition, 20% of the routes on offer must run outside of Spain. Interested operators must submit their request to provide these services before the CNMC at least six months before their commercial launch.

Full Content: El Economista

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