The Ministry of Transport has provisionally approved the informative study for the railway connection between Santa Justa and San Pablo. A period of 45 days for objections is now open, although the final route and execution timelines remain unspecified.
The Government of Spain has taken a step forward in the project that promises to connect Santa Justa station with San Pablo airport by rail. The Ministry of Transport has provisionally approved the informative study for the connection, which will now be subject to public information for 45 days. During this period, residents, administrations, and entities will be able to submit objections before the final route is chosen.
The preferred alternative by the ministry is the so-called North 3, which includes an intermediate station in Parque Alcosa. This option would serve a densely populated area in the east of the capital, which has been received with optimism by residents of the district.
A long-awaited project
The railway connection between the centre of Seville and its airport is a historical demand. Currently, travellers rely on public buses (line EA) or taxis to cover the approximately 10 kilometres that separate Santa Justa from San Pablo. With the new train, a travel time of about 10 minutes is expected, compared to the 25-35 minutes by bus.
The informative study considers three possible routes. In addition to North 3, the South alternative, which would run parallel to the SE-30, and the Centre variant, which would utilise part of the existing railway corridor, are being considered. However, the North 3 option has received the highest scores in technical analyses due to its lower environmental impact and its ability to integrate a new stop in Alcosa.
What does it mean for the residents?
For the people of Seville, the realisation of this infrastructure would represent a significant improvement in metropolitan mobility. Residents of Parque Alcosa and surrounding areas would gain a train station just a few minutes' walk away, reducing dependence on private cars. Furthermore, the direct connection with Santa Justa would facilitate links with the AVE and medium-distance trains.
However, the ministry warns that the project is still in its initial phase. After the objection period, it will be necessary to draft the construction project, tender the works, and execute them. Sources from the Ministry of Transport have indicated that “there is no fixed timetable” for the completion of the works, although they estimate that construction could take between 3 and 4 years once started.
Reactions and next steps
The mayor of Seville, José Luis Sanz, has positively assessed the progress: “This is excellent news for the city's mobility. We have been demanding this connection for years and finally see light at the end of the tunnel.” Meanwhile, the Junta de Andalucía has expressed its willingness to collaborate in the project's development.
During the next 45 days, interested parties will be able to consult the informative study at the Ministry of Transport's offices and on the ministry's website. The final route is expected to be chosen by the end of this year, although timelines could be extended if the objections presented require modifications to the project.
In the meantime, the people of Seville will have to keep waiting. The railway connection with the airport is a pending task that, if realised, would position Seville alongside other European capitals with direct links between the centre and their airports. For frequent travellers, the train will be a relief: goodbye to traffic jams on the A-4 and waiting for the bus. However, patience will be required, as infrastructure projects in Spain, like trains, sometimes take time to arrive.
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