The Adamuz accident has been followed with special attention in Italianot only because of the historical and cultural proximity to Spain, but also because of the involvement of State Railways (FS), the Italian public group that controls the majority of Iryo’s capital. In the background of the accident – the first with fatalities on the Spanish high speed since the liberalization of the sector and in which a train has been involved Frecciarossa— plan worry for its possible impact in one of the large European public companies, at a key moment in its expansion into other markets on the continent.
The entry of FS into the Spanish market It is a well-known and, so far, successful story. Ferrovie dello Stato was one of the first European railway companies to make significant investments outside Italy, and Spain was among his first destinations. In 2019, Trenitalia —the group company in charge of passenger transportation— became the first private operator authorized to enter the Spanish high-speed market and, three years later, launched the Iryo brand, which currently operates dozens of daily services in the country. Although it is a multinational production, the Italian presence is especially relevant on a technical level as well. The trains, manufactured by the Hitachi–Alstom Group consortium, They have part of their production and final assembly in a factory in Pistoia, Tuscany.
Spain, furthermore, is not an isolated case within the group’s strategy. Currently, FS transports abroadthrough their investments, to some 253 million passengers15% more, according to data published on December 11. In Italy, the figure rises to 577 million. In 2024, the group’s revenues reached €16 billion, 11% more than the previous year. Ferrovie dello Stato now It also manages lines in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. and, above all, Spain, where his intention before the accident was to expand them significantly, as part of his plan to increase by 40% the number of passengers transported outside Italy in the next five years. As the digital media recently summarized He Post: “FS wants to conquer Europe. It has a plan to connect the main cities of the continent and become the richest company; in fact, it has already started.”
Caution
This context helps explain caution y the meticulous choice of words in the press releases released by the company and Iriyo herself, which has still promised “full collaboration” pending the investigation that must determine what exactly happened in Andalusia. This is also pointed out by Cesare Pozzi, professor of Industrial Economics at the Luiss University of Rome. The reality is that, “even if it were demonstrated that he has no responsibility, there is the possibility de que Ferrovie dello Stato sufra image damage and reputation that will have to be managed in some way,” he says in an interview with this newspaper.
“This happens because the railway system is extremely complex and at a public level, people do not know precisely this framework,” argues the specialist, who also underlines the need to open a broader reflection on the maintenance of high levels of security in a system in full expansion. “It is a debate that affects networks throughout Europe, which are under strong pressure. Today There are more trains, they run at higher speeds. and the demand is very high, which has increased the management difficulties and maintenance costs.
Subscribe to continue reading
