Renfe announces more than 900,000 free Cercanías and Media Distancia subscriptions
Renfe will offer over 900,000 free subscriptions for Cercanías and Media Distancia travel from September 1 through December 31. The plan was outlined by Raquel Sánchez, the Minister for Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, during a Monday briefing. The initiative aims to boost rail travel across these services and strengthen regional mobility.
During her remarks at El Economista Ágora, the minister highlighted a strong start to the program. Passenger traffic on these Renfe networks increased significantly since September 1, with an estimated rise of 250,000 travelers compared to the same period last year. In Renfe’s data, this represents a 27 percent increase, underscoring higher utilization of Cercanías and Media Distancia services. The boost in ridership reflects a continuing trend of people choosing trains for daily commutes and regional trips.
On the future of the free subscription measure, Sánchez stated that there is confidence more residents will participate in the coming months. The plan is designed to be inclusive and expand access to affordable rail travel. When asked about a potential extension or a more structural solution, the minister indicated that evaluation will guide any new steps and that longer-term options could be explored if necessary.
In the housing and energy rehabilitation section, the housing portfolio outlined an ongoing push to upgrade the built environment. The department described a broad program with substantial planned investments, aiming to generate more than 180,000 jobs within the construction sector. This initiative aligns with broader energy efficiency goals and employment growth across the economy.
As part of the energy saving agenda, subsidies are set to cover up to 40 percent of costs for energy-efficient housing projects, with grants reaching up to 7 percent of related expenses. For complete building rehabilitations, subsidies could rise to 40 percent or even 80 percent in certain cases, depending on project scope and energy savings achieved. These measures are intended to drive homeowner and community investments while reducing energy consumption.
Projections from the ministry indicate that about 1.2 million rehabilitations could be completed by 2030, reflecting a long-term commitment to modernizing housing stock and improving energy performance across the country. The minister noted that overall employment, including the construction sector, rose by roughly 1.4 million jobs in 2022, marking the highest level in over a decade and signaling momentum for labor markets amid ongoing infrastructure and housing programs.
Overall, the policy mix aims to keep rail travel accessible through subsidies while accelerating housing rehabilitation and energy efficiency. The combined effect targets enhanced mobility, stronger regional growth, and a more sustainable built environment for communities across Spain and neighboring regions.