Chaos on the Almeria train line

A NUMBER of train passengers arrived more than four hours late in Almeria after having boarded a high-speed TALGO train from Madrid.

An initial incident occurred when a faulty rail, according to the company, caused one of the two Madrid to Almeria TALGO trains to arrive at its destination 46 minutes late. However, this delay was considered as ‘normal’ by the company, and does not allow passengers to receive compensation.

But the second train, from Madrid-Chamartin at 2.34pm, could not even leave the station, and with the passengers already on board, the company informed them by loudspeaker that the 180 of them would have to get on board a replacement train.

However, the new train did not have enough space, and 30 passengers had to be taken on a different train from Madrid to Antequera, and then by bus to their destinations.

It was those who did get on the replacement train who experienced the worst luck, when it stopped 35 kilometres out of Madrid’s Atocha station. At approximately 8pm, the train was able to finally head to Almeria from Aranjuez, arriving in Almeria at 1.30am, after a four-hour delay. “All passengers were given a snack and they will have the whole cost of the ticket refunded due to a long delay,” said a company representative.

The newer AVE highspeed trains were not affected by the delays, and several trade unions and opposition parties as well as other associations continue to push for an AVE line to Murcia, which would connect with Almeria afterwards.