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Not so fast: Spain bullet train debuts
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Spain's new bullet train, which made its maiden journey Saturday, hasn't exactly lived up to its name. The project, Spain second such high-speed rail link, was completed a year behind schedule, and the train -- linking Madrid to the northeastern city of Lleida -- traveled at just over half its intended speed. The train made the 450-kilometer (280-mile) trip between the two cities in 2 hours and 58 minutes, cutting the normal traveling time by nearly an hour. It covered the distance at an average speed of 175 km/h (108 mph), reaching peak speeds of 200 km/h (124 mph) -- impressive, but far slower than the intended average speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) with peaks of 350 km/h (217 mph). The government claims more infrastructure work is needed. Critics argue the new train not high speed but simply a train traveling fast. The Madrid-Lleida bullet train has been steeped in controversy for several years because of numerous labor accidents, building delays and a bitter row over the geological suitability of some of the land through which the train passes. The track runs through a section of the northern region of Aragon which has a history of shifting soil. Ecologists and geologists say up to 10 sinkholes have opened up in the past 18 months in different spots close to the rail route, including two earlier this month. Opponents also say too much money has been spent on high-speed lines while the rest of the country's rail system is wearing down. The government, however, insists the new line is "the pride and joy of Spanish engineering" and that all necessary studies have been done to ensure the line is safe. One-way tickets cost 54 euros ($63). Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia traveled on the train for the first official test run Friday, and there were no hiccups. Spain inaugurated its first high-speed rail link in 1992 between Madrid and the southern city of Seville. The project is part of a broader project for a high-speed rail link Madrid and northeastern Barcelona, Spain's second largest city, by 2005. Another is being built to link the capital to north-central Valladolid while others are envisaged to join Madrid with eastern Valencia and the Portuguese capital of Lisbon. Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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