Summer vacations: travel without congestion, stay sustainable, and stay better connected.

The arrival of summer inspires a more positive attitude in people, who seek to enjoy themselves, socialize, and explore new destinations. We increasingly value an ideal travel experience: comfortable, agile, sustainable, and allowing us to travel in the greatest possible comfort.

By 2030, it is estimated that more than 6 billion people will live in urban areas, representing 68% of the world's population. This enormous group constitutes a potential base of public transport users, and it is in this area that we must focus our efforts to drive a true transformation in mobility.

It's clear that a shift in transportation preferences is taking place, with a notable transition from cars and planes to trains. Currently, approximately half of long-distance trips are made by car, while 29% are made by train. However, expectations are changing, as more people plan to use rail over the next 12 months, compared to the other two alternatives.

If we analyze some of the conclusions from our international study, Better Connected 2025, based on the opinions of more than 11,000 people in major countries around the world, and focus on Spain, the data reflect a forward-looking vision. 38% of Spaniards plan to increase their long-distance train travel over the next twelve months, compared to 34% who plan to do so by car and only 21% who expect to fly more frequently. In the longer term, the change in trend is more pronounced: more than 40% of the Spanish population expects to increase their rail travel over the next five years, relegating cars and planes to more occasional use.

Spain has the second-largest high-speed rail network in the world, a feat of infrastructure and logistics that has revolutionized the way we travel around the country. With more than 4,000 kilometers of track dedicated to high-speed rail, connecting cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Galicia, and Valencia, a true backbone of the country has been consolidated. This network not only shortens distances but also demonstrates that it is possible to move toward efficient, modern, and environmentally friendly mobility.

Between 2014 and 2024, high-speed train use has experienced a growth of nearly 300%, driven by both network expansion and the entry of new operators that have boosted competitiveness and territorial cohesion. In 2024 alone, high-speed train passengers reached 39 million (an increase of 22.8% compared to the previous year), according to data from the INE (National Institute of Statistics and Census). This makes trains the preferred option for journeys of less than 2.5 hours, surpassing flights in terms of convenience and reliability.

This increase in train use is due to a growing global awareness of the need for a large-scale and permanent transition toward sustainable mobility.

However, rail still faces challenges to consolidate its position as the preferred choice for travelers. Improving the overall user experience is key: aspects such as onboard comfort, station accessibility, and simplifying fares and bookings have a direct impact on passengers' final choice. Small investments in these aspects can significantly increase passenger loyalty and attract those who still prefer to travel by car.

34% of Spaniards consider cost to be the most important factor when choosing the train for a long-distance trip, followed by journey time (15%), convenience (22%), and onboard comfort (11%). They add that 71% of Spaniards would use public transport more frequently if it were better connected.

Another key finding of the study is the broad social support for limiting short-haul flights when high-speed rail alternatives exist. Nearly two-thirds of respondents support this measure, which aims to drive a modal shift toward more sustainable transport.

This model has already been implemented in France since 2023, and in Spain, the initiative is being debated in the Congress of Deputies. Sixty-three percent of Spanish respondents support this ban, twice as many as those who oppose it. Therefore, we must facilitate legislation toward sustainable mobility and create a bridge for cities and countries to be as connected as possible to encourage increased train use.

Committing to high-speed rail means believing in a more cohesive, sustainable, and connected model for the country. The data is compelling; now is the time to transform these figures into an ambitious debate and bold decisions that will consolidate Spain as a railway powerhouse and an international benchmark in smart mobility.

Carlos Mezquita, general manager of Hitachi Rail GTS Spain.