Renfe has issued almost 51,000 free Short Distance and Medium Distance subscriptions in Asturias for journeys between 1 September and 31 December 2023. Throughout Spain, the number of subscriptions in the last quarter of the year amounts to about 2.5 million (includes free subscriptions from Cerca, Rodalies and Media Distancia and 50% Avant subscriptions).
In Asturias, Renfe has managed a total of 50,797 free subscriptions for local services and 233 for Media Distancia services. These figures attest to the great acceptance of this measure among citizens.
The use of subscriptions during 2023 is assuming an increase in passengers on public service trains in Asturias of close to 54%. As of September, 6.5 million passengers used the Cerca and Media Distancia trains, with an addition of 2.3 million new trips compared to the same period of 2022.
The displacement of these 6.5 million travellers represents significant environmental savings. This figure avoids:
- The emission of 924 tons of CO2.
- The consumption of about 395,000 liters of fuel.
New free subscriptions for 2024
From last Saturday and throughout its period of validity, Renfe users can obtain the free subscriptions of Proxies, Rodalies, Proximity and Medium Distance services to travel until April 30.
To speed up the purchase of subscriptions and avoid unnecessary waits, subscriptions can be obtained through the Renfe Proximity app or, in the case of Media Distancia and Avant subscriptions, through the web www.renfe.com. To do this, the customer must be registered in advance.
For Avant’s rail services, the 50% discount is extended. The same discount will be applied to other high-speed routes that have been declared Public Service Obligation (PSO). Likewise, the free subscriptions of Media Distancia may be used in the Avant services in the Madrid-Salamanca point-to-point relationship and in the high-performance lines A Coruña–Ourense and Murcia-Alicante
As for the proximity services of the Palma del Rio-Villa del Río, Illescas-Fuenlabrada, Malaga-El Jet-Caminito del Rey, Murcia-Cartagena and Medina del Campo/Valladolid/Palencia lines, by 2024 the conditions of the subscriptions of the Neighbourhoods will be applicable, so the deposit will be 10 euros.
Promotion of the good use of fertilizers in Media Distancia and Avant
In 2024, Renfe will deepen the initiatives to prevent the irregular use of subscriptions in the Media Distancia and Avant services, where an irregular use is still detected that prevents all citizens from enjoying these measures.
Thus, in conventional Media Distancia routes, Renfe has extended to one hour (currently it is 10 minutes) the time in which a reservation must be formalized or, in case of not making the trip, canceled. In this way, users who are not going to use the reserved space with the subscriptions must cancel it with a minimum of 60 minutes in advance. In the event that, at least three times, they have not canceled the place with the aforementioned advance, they will lose the right to purchase new subscriptions during the following 30 days.
Previously, Renfe will send the traveler, on the occasion of the first two cancellations not made with the minimum required advance, communications to the contact provided by the same, which warns him of the possible consequences.
The company also prepares additional measures for the High Speed Medium Distance Trains, Avant, measures that will enter into force on March 1, 2024 and which will be reported in the coming weeks on the lines on which these services are provided.
Awareness campaign
In order to promote the good use of these bonus titles, Renfe will launch an awareness-raising campaign for citizens from the second week of January. In this way, it will be mentioned that the misuse of subscriptions is a detriment to the rest of the citizens who want to make their trips.
Additionally, Renfe will perform random checks on its Media Distancia and Avant services to check the correct use of the bonus titles. In the event of detection of non-compliance with the regulations, the anti-fraud measures established in these services will be applied.
Commuter App to get the free membership
The Proxies app allows the acquisition of the recurring subscriptions of Proxies and Rodalies in a fast, simple and agile way, generating a QR code that is downloaded on the mobile phone and that can subsequently be used in the access control of the stations.
To purchase the subscription, although it is free, it is necessary to deposit a deposit of 10 euros in the case of Neighbourhoods, Rodalies and Proximity Services, and 20 euros for each conventional Medium Distance service. The payment by card will allow the automatic return of the deposit, once at the end of the semester it is established that the condition of having made 16 trips during these four months has been fulfilled.
For children under 14 years old without a ID, a recurring subscription has also been created for Media Distancia services, which can be purchased in renfe.com or by the Renfe app. Father, mother or guardian or guardian may acquire, by means of their NIF, NIE or passport, a maximum of four children’s subscriptions for an origin and destination, during the period of validity.
Bail Back
Passengers who have used the free Short Stay, Rodalies or Media Distancia pass in the last four months of 2023 will be refunded, provided that they have fulfilled the conditions indicated in it. Those who paid the deposit by card will be automatically refunded.
To facilitate communication with customers, Renfe has set up a specific telephone line, 91 919 15 67, to report these free subscriptions.