The CNMC has started a public consultation to collect data on rail passenger transport services, particularly suburban and medium-distance routes, and their upcoming tendering process. This consultation is the first step in a study on the liberalization of these services, aiming to identify challenges, barriers, and make recommendations to ensure that market opening benefits both passengers and taxpayers.

Following the liberalization of high-speed and long-distance services, the next step in Spain is opening up rail services with public service obligations, such as suburban and medium-distance routes. In 2023, these services transported around 492 million passengers, mainly residents in peripheral areas of large cities with below-average incomes. Therefore, liberalizing this sector is crucial for improving social and territorial cohesion, promoting environmental sustainability, and strengthening economic activity in metropolitan areas.

International experience shows that liberalizing rail passenger transport services leads to cost savings for bidding authorities and an enhancement in service quality.

The CNMC advocates for effective competition in markets, as mandated by the Law 3/2013. It conducts studies and investigations on competition, producing reports on economic sectors with proposals for liberalization, deregulation, or regulatory amendments, all included in the CNMC's Action Plan.