Adif has re-tendered the Acerca service, which assists passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, with a base budget of €50,659,740.96, an increase of 86% over the current contract. The contract will run for an initial period of 24 months, with a possible extension of up to a further 24 months, taking its potential value to €101.3 million.
This is the second tender Adif has opened for the service during 2026. In February, it launched a procurement process with a base budget of €42.2 million, which it abandoned on 5 May without public explanation.
Nevertheless, all signs point to an improvement in service delivery, as the budget increase of more than €8 million is accompanied by quality criteria accounting for 90% of the score, with price making up the remaining 10%. Companies may submit bids until 10:00 on 16 November.
The previous contract was awarded to the joint venture formed by Clece (70%) and Integra Mantenimiento, Gestión y Servicios Integrados (30%). Formalised in June 2022 for €32.8 million, it covered two years plus two possible extension years. Despite complaints about staff shortages and service quality, Adif extended the contract in October 2024, and it will remain in force until the new successful bidder takes over the service.
According to figures released in February, Acerca had more than 600 assistants at 146 stations and recorded 849,306 assistance interventions in 2025, 7% more than in 2024.