Spain’s Council of Ministers has authorised the creation of Renfe subsidiaries in France and Mexico to strengthen the Spanish railway company’s internationalisation strategy.
Paris-based Renfe France will centralise existing operations and look for new business opportunities in France. It already offers high-speed services between cities such as Barcelona-Lyon and Madrid-Marseille. However, it recently lost a tender to operate two Intercités services.
The Mexican subsidiary, headquartered in Mexico City, will focus on expanding current projects, such as the Tren Maya, and exploring new opportunities in the local rail market.
These initiatives are part of Renfe’s Strategic Plan towards 2028, which seeks to transform the company through innovation, internationalisation and customer focus.
Apart from its high-speed routes in France, Renfe has already entered strategic markets such as Italy, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It is also involved in significant projects such as Rail Baltica and has recently opened a branch in the United Arab Emirates.
In Italy, at the end of January, Renfe began operating on the Cuneo-Saluzzo-Savigliano line through its subsidiary Arenaways, with up to 142 weekly services between September and June. The line has been reopened after 13 years and will benefit 180,000 people.
