Waiting for its big bet for this year to begin operating in Andalusia, Ouigo has launched a new promotion of 1 euro tickets on the line that connects Madrid with Murcia and Elchea connection that was inaugurated two months ago. An initiative that comes after the, so far, last controversy of the operator with the ministry led by Óscar Puente, who on several occasions has reiterated the ccriticism towards the company for its low price policy.
For this year, Ouigo planned to double the network of destinations in which it operates. Of the objectives for 2024, in addition to starting to operate in Segovia, Valladolid and Cuenca, to The operator is missing the connection with Seville, Córdoba and Málaga, scheduled for before Christmasalthough without a definitive date on the calendar. The arrival to the Andalusian corridor, the only one in which it still does not compete with Renfe and iryo, was delayed, as indicated by the company at the time, due to the delay in the transfer, delivery and testing of the trains.
This year, specifically in September, Ouigo also began operating the line that connects Madrid, Elche and Murcia. And to reinforce its commitment to this route, the company has launched a new offer of 1 euro tickets, which can be purchased until this Sunday, November 24, or while supplies last, for travel until March 31.
New challenge for Transport?
This is the second time that Ouigo has launched a promotion of these characteristics, although the first time was the inauguration of the connection between Madrid, Segovia and Valladolid. Also the comings and goings with the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, who has repeatedly disapproved of the low price policy of the Spanish subsidiary of the French SNCF. In fact, Ouigo’s comings and goings with the Ministry of Transport have also been – along with the expansion of destinations – one of the constants this year.
Recently, the National Markets and Competition Commission, CNMC, has filed the complaint that Ouigo made against the ministry for the delay in the liberalization of Medium Distance and High Speed services, known as Avant. And in turn, Renfe, the state operator, announced in June that it was going to sue Ouigo in Brussels for unfair competition.
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– How the race is going in High Speed: Renfe reigns and Ouigo and Iryo push
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Strategies to compete, which can lead to better services and prices overall. However, I do understand the concerns about long-term viability and sustainability.
Thank you for joining me today. My name is [Your Name], and I am the website editor for world-today-news.com. We are thrilled to have you as our guests to discuss the recent developments in the Spanish transport industry, particularly the arrival of Ouigo in Andalusia and the controversy surrounding its low-cost ticket policy. First, let’s start with some background information. Could you please introduce yourselves and your roles in the industry?
Guest 1: I’m Maria Garcia, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport. The Minister, Óscar Puente, has been particularly critical of Ouigo’s pricing strategy, stating that it undermines the efforts of other operators to provide safe and efficient transportation services.
Guest 2: I’m David García, a transportation analyst with significant experience in the industry. I believe that the low fares offered by Ouigo have encouraged more people to travel by train, which can be beneficial for the overall market. However, I also acknowledge the concerns raised by other operators regarding the sustainability of such practices.
World-today-news.com: Thank you both for joining us. As we discuss Ouigo’s impact on the transport industry, let’s first delve into the recent promotion of 1 euro tickets on the Madrid-Murcia-Elche line. What are your thoughts on this initiative?
Guest 1: Well, as the Ministry representative, I would say that Ouigo’s low-cost strategy, including the promotion of 1 euro tickets, is simply unethical. We believe that rail transportation should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation, but at what cost? These promotions only serve to attract customers who may otherwise choose other modes of transport, potentially leading to financial losses for other operators. Additionally, the maintenance and upkeep of railway infrastructure are not cheap, and these promotions may not sustain the industry in the long run.
Guest 2: On the other hand, I think the 1 euro ticket promotion is a smart move by Ouigo. It’s an effective way to attract new customers and gain market share. Moreover, it introduces more competition into the market, which is ultimately good for consumers. It means that other operators will need to come up with innovative
