In Galicia, Renfe has issued almost 80,000 free subscriptions for Neighbourhoods Width Metric, Medium Distance and 50% discount on Avant services, for journeys between September 1 and December 31, 2023. Throughout Spain the number of subscriptions in the last four months of the year amounts to about 2.5 million (includes free subscriptions from Cerca, Rodalies and Media Distancia and 50% Avant subscriptions).
In Galicia Renfe has managed a total of 17 free subscriptions for the services of Shortcuts Width Metric and 78,878 in the services of Media Distancia. In addition to 443 on Avant services, 50% Bonus. These figures attest to the great acceptance of this measure among citizens.
The use of subscriptions during this 2023 is assuming an increase in passengers on public service trains in Galicia close to 61%. Until September, more than 5 million customers used the trains of Cerca, Media Distancia, Ancho Metric and Avant, with an incorporation of 2 million new displacements, with respect to the same period of 2022.
The movement of these more than 5 million passengers represents significant environmental savings. This figure avoids:
The emission of 770 tons of CO2.
The consumption of 329.00 liters of fuel.
New free subscriptions for 2024
From last Saturday and throughout its validity period, Renfe users can obtain the free subscriptions of Proxies, Rodalies, Proximity and Medium Distance services to travel until April 30, 2024.
The purchase of subscriptions is possible through Renfe’s sales channels. For the purchase through the web www.renfe.com the customer must be registered previously.
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 said that the misuse of subscriptions is a detriment to the rest of citizens who want to travel.
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.
How 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.
Return of the deposit
Travelers who have used the free Short Stay, Rodalies or Media Distancia pass in the last quarter of 2023 will be refunded the deposit, provided they have met the conditions. Those who will pay the deposit by card, will be returned automatically.
To facilitate communication with customers, Renfe has set up a specific telephone line, 91 919 15 67, to report these free subscriptions.
