The Greens Equo-United Left coalition publicly denounces the “unprecedented neglect” that the Alcázar de San Juan train station has been suffering for more than two years. They describe the situation as “unsustainable” and one that affects both essential infrastructure and human resources.
Among the deficiencies highlighted are the “continuous and frequent breakdowns of elevators, information screens, and public address systems,” and the fact that the station lacks a permanent station master, with “a single person in charge for all stations in Ciudad Real.”
One of the “most serious” situations has been going on for almost four years, when the elevator providing access to tracks 2 and 4 broke down. “Since there is no elevator, they decided to close passenger service on those tracks, and this continues,” causing a buildup of rail traffic on tracks 1 and 3.
The coalition also denounces that “information monitor failures continue over time” and that “the PA system is inaudible, especially on tracks 5 and 7,” seriously affecting the user experience and safety.
In April of this year, another breakdown disabled the elevator on the main platform, forcing passenger service to be relocated to tracks 5 and 7, where “the platform is very narrow” and “the shelter is insufficient, not to say rickety.” Adding to this situation is “the lack of information officers to assist passengers in situations of track congestion.”
The Greens, Equo-IU, warn of the obvious danger posed by this situation, especially when “three trains coincide around 11:00 a.m. in a space with a minimum safety width,” and point out that, according to Adif data, the station receives more than 800 users daily, including elderly people, people with reduced mobility, luggage, baby strollers, etc.
Photo : Diario de Rivas
On May 8, the coalition spokesperson conveyed all these complaints to the mayor of Alcázar, who “immediately contacted Adif officials,” receiving a commitment in response that “the problem would be resolved before the summer.” However, they denounce that “to date, there is no indication or interest in resolving it.”
The party asks: “In a neighborhood community, how long would it have taken to repair or replace these deficiencies?” and regrets that “we find it difficult to understand how the national representative and councilor of the Alcázar City Council, Mr. Gonzalo Redondo, a regular train user, has not taken the trouble to resolve these deficiencies, and if he has, we have no record of it.”
They also criticize the fact that in his meeting with the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, on April 10, where Representative Redondo spoke of “an upcoming and important investment to complete the works between Alcázar and Manzanares,” he did not mention “the obvious neglect of the railway station in the city of Alcázar de San Juan.”
The Greens Equo-IU (Ecuadorian Left) assert that “this situation cannot continue any longer,” and therefore announce that “we are going to take action to help solve the problem.” Among them, they have already requested an interview with Representative Redondo, and they make a double appeal: “to all our politicians to commit to the Alcázar de San Juan station,” and “to those responsible at Adif to resolve the station’s deficiencies as quickly as possible.”
