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COMMUTERS from Malaga to Fuengirola must navigate the ups, downs, and peaks of the rail network now that Adif has announced the closure of C1 for a half-year.
Andalucia is once more at the forefront of public transportation discussions.
Four mayors have protested an announcement made by Adif, which anticipates a suspension of the Cercanias service for six months during 2027 – 2028.
In a letter, the local mayors from Malaga, Torremolinos and Benalmadena expressed their dismay at learning of the plans to disrupt travel through the media, rather than directly verifying them with the government.
Now the Deputy Government Delegate of Andalucia has shot back against the Popular Party: ‘Any improvement project can always cause inconvenience, we regret that PP administrators don’t cause inconvenience because they don’t carry out actions that improve the lives of citizens and are only engaged in constant confrontation…Although from the PP, only the worst can be expected.’
Francisco de la Torre, the mayor of Malaga, addressed the issue by calling for transparency and finding the best solution for the travellers affected by the new plans.
Torre said the group of mayors were shocked ‘that there had not been a meeting, communication, or analysis’ made by the government about the upcoming train disturbances.
The Capacity Restrictions Catalogue was updated on March 31, with the plans for C1’s closure.
The group of mayors had attempted to organize a joint discussion about the same topics in July 2024.
Javier Salas feels differently, with the Deputy Delegate saying there is ‘no lack of communication.’
Salas further challenged the mayors of the affected communities, arguing ‘whether they support the commuter rail project or simply want to obstruct it.’
Trains should have an alternate route for people who are travelling during the closure.
Private operators do not offer alternative routes until a line is reopened.
C1 is primarily concerned with increasing the number of riders and reducing the frequency of services.
After learning that the disruption between Torremolinos, and Malaga could continue for up to six month, collective concern was raised.
The councilors’ document claimed that despite the necessary improvements being requested, the scope of the job would require ‘technical planning, transparency, coordination and advance information.’
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The letter is signed by Malaga’s Mayor Francisco de la Torre as well as Torremolino’s Margarita del CID, Benalmadena’s Juan Antonio Lara and Fuengirola’s Ana Mula.
A spokesperson admitted that while alternative routes were promised, they did not know what or when those would be.
Currently, the work required includes the duplication of a 3-kilometre-long line from Campamento Benitez up to Plaza Mayor, improvements to stations and repairs of the Guadalmedina river, as well as extensions to Malaga Central Station.
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