A new incident on the railway line connecting Jaén with Madrid has caused a prolonged delay for 260 passengers. The train suffered a breakdown shortly after starting its journey, coming to a halt near the Vilches station during a heatwave. Outdoor temperatures exceeded 44 degrees Celsius, while the train's air conditioning system remained inoperative.
One of the affected passengers recounted the experience on social media, describing the situation as "worrying improvisation in service management." According to his testimony, passengers remained confined in the carriages for a considerable time as the heat intensified. The lack of clear information about the cause of the stop, attributed to "works" impeding circulation, and the uncertainty about reaching their destination generated "anxiety and nervousness" among the travelers.
“"The driver admitted that the train was not fit to leave Jaén"
Finally, after accumulating a delay of nearly five hours from its departure from Linares-Baeza, the train managed to reach the Madrid-Atocha station. Statements from the on-board staff, who reportedly admitted the train was not in optimal condition to start the journey from Jaén, further fueled passenger indignation.
This incident follows another that occurred just eleven days prior on the same line. On that occasion, a breakdown forced part of the journey to be completed by road. Passengers, who departed from Atocha with a delay, encountered service interruption in Valdepeñas due to a fire near the tracks. After waiting outdoors for buses, without assistance or clear information from Renfe staff, the passengers themselves had to buy water and food for the children and elderly members of the group, finally arriving in Jaén in the early morning.
Complaints regarding the recurring breakdowns on the railway connection for the province of Jaén are accumulating on digital platforms, awaiting a structural solution.
