Spain's Minister of Transport, , has defended Renfe following recent disruptions, stating the operator is not always responsible for delays. Speaking to RNE on Thursday, he noted that many incidents stem from factors external to the rail service.
The minister highlighted two major events on 9 September 2026: a storm in Catalonia that downed a catenary, halting Madrid-Barcelona high-speed lines, and a gas leak caused by third-party construction near Madrid's Fuencarral workshop which forced a stoppage.
Puente described the railway as a highly sensitive system, distinct from road networks. He compared the situation to a recent total air traffic shutdown in the UK, arguing that infrastructure remains vulnerable to external events beyond the ministry's control.