SPAIN: High speed services are due to start running from Madrid to Cuenca and Albacete on December 15, and to Requena-Utiel and Valencia on December 18, Development Minister José Blanco has announced.

...Investment of €5·12bn by the ministry in building the new route over the period from 2004 to 2010 had generated turnover of €10·37bn and had created 105 720 direct or indirect jobs. A further 136 226 jobs and €9·06bn are expected to be generated by the new line in 2011-16.

High speed services are expected to carry 3·6 million passengers in their first year of operation, with four in 10 journeys between Madrid and Valencia made by rail. As well as 800 000 new journeys, 55% of passengers currently travelling by air are expected to transfer to rail, compared to 25% of those travelling by private car and 5% of coach passengers.