Railway services on the Madrid Seville line will be reduced after last week’s accident, where 69 people lost their lives near the town of Urda, in central Spain.

Limitations will remain in place until the Spanish Iron Security Agency examines the safety system and completes the delayed implementation of the European Rail Traffic Management System ( ERTMS).

This is the second serious accident this year on the same line. In January another accident involving the same companies left 46 people dead.

Transport Minister Oscar Puente has ruled out his resignation, while he is expected to face the questions of the tragedy management lawmakers named as Europe’s worst rail accident since 2013.

Meanwhile, the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, aimed at re-election on November 29th, has approved an emergency aid package for victims and their families. The measures include doubling payments from mandatory passenger insurance, accelerating compensation, and improving coverage for temporary disability.

Puente has also presented additional security measures. Among them is the limit of speed at 40 miles per hour when signaling fails, and the train leader must rely on direct surveillance to detect obstacles on the tracks. Adding staff and improving conditions in railway control centres are also forecast.

The government has pledged to speed up the extension of ERTMS across the railway network. Under government contracts, implementation of this standardised European security system and signalling has remained behind the deadline in the line where two accidents occurred.

Source Layer: Dukeagini