The Iberian Alliance for the Railway, which includes 20 Portuguese and Spanish organisations, has appealed to the governments of the two countries to improve rail connections, with some proposals to be implemented next year and others by 2030.

The associations consider that the rail connections currently existing between Portugal and Spain "are the worst in recent decades".

"In the context of the climate emergency and with the level of commitment in Europe to increase the rail mode of transport, the current situation between two states which are so close and with a compatible network is not justified", writes the alliance made up of 20 social organisations, unions and environmentalists.

Recalling the cancellation of night services connecting Portugal to Spain and France in 2020, which have not been resumed, Aliança Ibérica says that, currently, there are only two international rail connections: between Porto and Vigo, and between Entroncamento and Badajoz.

The resumption of cancelled night calls (from Lisbon and Madrid and Hendaye, France) is one of the short-term measures advocated.

The associations also intend to extend the intercity train that currently connects Madrid to Badajoz to Lisbon by next year and that the regional train Entroncamento - Badajoz be replaced by a solution from the Portuguese capital.

In addition to short-term measures, the Iberian Alliance also suggests that by 2027 connections be created from Lisbon to Madrid, Barcelona and La Coruña, and from Porto to Madrid, advocating for the 2030 horizon solutions that allow the connection between the south of Portugal, through Faro, and Seville, and between the Douro line and Salamanca.