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The train in Spain goes faster than the plane
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia launch AVE high speed train from Madrid to Valencia
The Spanish public are now travelling between Madrid and Valencia on the AVE high speed train, after the latest line in Spain was recently opened by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía.
The royal party joined the train in Madrid, which departed at 1109 and arrived in Valencia, 391 kilometres away, just 93 minutes later, two minutes early. They were accompanied by the Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Development Minister José Blanco, the PP Regional Presidents of Madrid and Valencia Esperanza Aguirre and Francisco Camps
The new Joaquín Sorolla station was officially opened also in Valencia. It will take all the high speed trains until a future central station is constructed in the city centre.
In his speech the King noted how the train favoured the economy and ‘social cohesion’. He said he was proud of the size and quality of the works.
The new line, which is expected to be the most profitable of the network, makes Spain the European country with most kilometres of high speed track in Service.
Every day AVE high speed trains cover 104,000 kms, equivalent to going round the world 2 and a half times every day.
Meanwhile a new high speed train service has come into operation between Barcelona and Paris. The train will run twice daily in each direction, and stop in Girona, Perpignan, Narbona-Montpellier and Nimes.
Journey time is seven hours 25 minutes, an hour and a quarter less than previously, and cheapest promotional ticket price is 63.30 €.
Valere Tjolle
Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 – latest news on the suite at
www.travelmole.com/stories/1145712.php
Valere
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