The plenary session in Alcorcón underscored the differences between political parties concerning public transport, particularly regarding the C-5 commuter line. The debate centered on the line's recurring breakdowns and the proposal to offer free travel on other public transport services during modernization works.
The PP had called for the plenary to address the «grave situation» of the C-5, criticizing the deterioration of railway infrastructure and demanding the fulfillment of investments promised by the Ministry of Transport. However, the local government, comprising PSOE, Ganar Alcorcón, and Más Madrid, submitted a motion for total amendment.
The municipal government's amendment proposed making the Metro, urban and interurban buses, and other alternative transport services free during periods when works or incidents affected the railway line's operation. This proposal was rejected by the PP, which persisted with its original initiative, denouncing «continuous delays, breakdowns, incidents, and maintenance problems» on the commuter service.
The PP's initial motion requested an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Transport and the promotion of committed investments for the Cercanías network, alongside studying a new stop at Fuente Cisneros and a park-and-ride facility near Alcorcón Central. This initiative was defeated by the votes of PSOE, Ganar Alcorcón, and Más Madrid, against the support of the PP and the abstention of Vox.
Trinidad Castillo, the councilor for Ecological Transition, Mobility, Education, and Environment, defended the local executive's amendment, criticizing the PP for rejecting a proposal aimed at ensuring residents «did not have to pay twice for the works». She argued that public transport alternatives should be accessible when necessary improvements are undertaken, so the cost does not fall on daily users.
Castillo recalled the incident at Cuatro Vientos as an example of negative consequences for users when public transport is not prioritized by administrations. She noted that thousands of Alcorcón residents experienced worsened daily commutes, lost direct connections, and faced avoidable transfers, emphasizing that the proposed measures aimed to prevent similar situations with the C-5.
For the PP, spokesperson Roberto Marín Vergara justified his party's rejection of the government's motion for total amendment, stating that «a substitute amendment undermines all the work of a municipal group». He maintained that the original motion could have been improved without the need for substitution.
