In the first quarter of 2024, high-speed rail in Spain experienced a surge in passenger numbers, with over 8.5 million travelers, marking a 27% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. Prices on routes without competition in Q1 2023 decreased by 24% to 28%, as per the CNMC's quarterly report.

Passenger numbers notably grew in corridors where there was no competition a year ago, such as a 62% increase on the Madrid-Alicante route and around 50% on the Madrid-Seville/Malaga/Granada routes. Price reductions of 24.5% to 28% were observed in routes like Madrid-Seville, Madrid-Malaga, and Madrid-Alicante.

Renfe Viajeros remained the leading operator in all corridors, holding between 46% and 73% of passengers, while Iryo and Ouigo also maintained significant market shares in various routes. The introduction of discounts and free services under Real Decree-Law 14/2022 led to a considerable increase in passengers for Renfe Viajeros' public service obligations.

Transport of goods showed improvements in Q1 2024 compared to the previous quarter, with increases in net tons, ton-kilometers, train-kilometers, and revenues. However, year-on-year comparisons revealed negative variations in net tons and ton-kilometers, with only train-kilometers showing a slight increase. Some companies like Medway and Captrain saw increases in transported net tons, while others experienced declines.