The Spanish government announced a major restructuring of the leadership at Renfe and Adif this Friday. Transport Minister Carlos Cuerpo dismissed Álvaro Fernández Heredia as president of Renfe, appointing Inmaculada Gutiérrez Carrizo to take his place. Gutiérrez previously served as director general of Renfe for International Projects. In parallel, Joaquim Hortalà i Vallvé has been named president of Adif, replacing Luis Pedro Marco de la Peña. These changes follow the resignation of Óscar Puente from the Transport Ministry and occurred two weeks after the deadly Urda railway accident in Toledo, which resulted in 69 deaths.
The new leadership shifts come as the transport sector faces increased scrutiny. Replacing executives during such a sensitive period is a delicate task that can disrupt institutional memory and operational continuity. The abruptness of these appointments suggests a desire to reset leadership structures quickly rather than waiting for standard review cycles. Cuerpo is culminating a remodelation of the railway high command that was initiated after he assumed the department’s responsibilities. Gutiérrez has developed a significant part of her career within Renfe, while Hortalà comes from the legal and regulatory sphere, with a past at the CNMC and the operator itself.
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Changes to ticket sales and brand names
Starting January 25, 2027, Renfe will phase out specific brand names like Alvia, Regional Exprés, and Media Distancia. These services will merge into broader categories such as Intercity, AVE, and Regionales. This consolidation aims to reduce confusion among travelers. The company is also implementing a new sales system that will unify its seven channels. The project requires an investment of approximately 160 million euros to standardize ticket management and purchase processes. These changes are framed within a broader transformation of the commercial relationship with users, where Renfe has debuted a new sales system that integrates all seven channels.