Spain caps alternative transport prices after Urda rail crash cuts Madrid-Andalusia line

The aid package for people affected by the Urda (Toledo) rail accident includes a royal decree-law worth 30 million euros, Transport minister Óscar Puente said at a press conference after the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, 3 November. It would let authorities cap prices for alternative transport while the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed line remains cut, and for accommodation tied to affected journeys. The cap would fix the maximum price at the level charged in an earlier reference period. Puente said Parliament had already rejected the proposal, with votes from the PP, Vox and Junts. Describing the price rises, he said:

“Now, a few days later, we see prices that have multiplied by eight and nine compared with the dates before the accident.”

Renfe said it will hand back the personal belongings of victims once the authorities allow it and preliminary procedures are finished. It asked for information and photos to help identify items through the phone line 900 10 10 20, which also offers help with transport, insurance and psychological care. Political reactions continued, with José Ignacio García, spokesman for Adelante Andalucía, demanding an independent and transparent investigation and Puente's resignation. In Córdoba, AENA said that whether new flights to Madrid-Barajas operate is a decision for the airlines, after the city's mayor, José María Bellido, asked the government for a direct daily connection. The Andalusian hotel federation Fahat estimated 146,000 fewer overnight stays in November and December 2026 and an economic impact of 7.51 million euros, based on a hypothetical reopening of the line on 23 November.