Renfe has issued in the Comunitat Valenciana 171,000 free subscriptions in Proximity and Media Distancia during its first month in force in 2023following the approval of the measure by the Spanish Government on 27 December. A figure that the Delegate of the Government in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, has rated as “Un absolute and resounding success”. “Valencians and Valencians will be able to enjoy the free public transport during this 2023. In addition to the fertilizers obtained in January, new acquisitions will be added during these months,” said Bernabé.
Of the total number of free multi-travel certificates issued, 149,081 correspond to subscriptions for travel in the different cores of Neighbourhoods and 22.095 they are for journeys of Media Distancia. “The measure clearly shows the Government of Spain’s commitment to sustainable transport and for promoting the mobility of working families,” said the government delegate.
To speed up the purchase of subscriptions and avoid unnecessary waits, the purchase of subscriptions is possible through the Renfe Local Government app or, in the case of Media Distancia and Avant subscriptions, via the web www.renfe.com. To do this, the customer must be registered in advance.
Success dissuasive measures misuse
El irregular use of the free subscriptions of Media Distancia de Renfe has decreased considerably, going from 20% last year to an average of 2.5% this year.
The irregular use of subscriptions occurred last year, mainly, by formalizing some users with a Media Distancia subscription, Trips that they didn’t make later.
The significant decrease that has been recorded this year was due to the measures approved by the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (MITMA)which entered into force on 7 December, amending the operation for the sale and use of Renfe’s conventional Media Distancia free multi-tour tickets, which restricts the formalization of travel, the acquisition of subscriptions and penalizes repeated irregular uses, among other actions.
In the case of conventional Medium Distance rail services, users must purchase a different pass for each origin/destination journey, which will be valid for unlimited travel between the origin and destination requested by the customer, in both senses.
Return of the deposit
Travelers who have used the free Short Distance Ticket, or Media Distancia in 2022 and have met the conditions of use, are being gradually and progressively returning bail since January 9th For those who have made the payment by credit card. All these people will be refunded the amount in the same current account to which they have linked the credit card with which the payment was made. In In case the tickets were purchased in cash, travelers can attend from the 15th of January. to the outlets of the stations