In La Rioja, Renfe issued a total of 2,077 free Media Distancia subscriptions for journeys between 1 September and 31 December last year.
Throughout 2023, Renfe issued more than 5,600 free Media Distancia subscriptions in La Rioja, the use of which meant a significant increase in passengers on public service trains. Until November, more than 135,800 travelers used these trains, with an addition of about 62,700 new trips compared to the same period of 2022.
The travel of these more than 135,800 travelers represents significant environmental savings. This figure avoids:
• The emission of more than 635,500 kilos of CO2.
• The circulation of around 90,500 private vehicles.
• Consumption of more than 195,500 liters of fuel.
New free subscriptions for 2024
From the 30th of December and throughout its validity period, Renfe users can obtain the free subscriptions of Proxies, Rodalies, Proximity and Medium Distance services to travel until the 30th of April.
To speed up the purchase of subscriptions and avoid unnecessary waits, it is possible to do it 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 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.
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 quarter of 2023 will be refunded, provided that they have met the conditions of the same. Those who will pay the deposit by card, will be returned automatically.
To facilitate communication with customers, Renfe operates a specific telephone line, 91 919 15 67, to inform about these free subscriptions.