The Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urbanization has revised the terms governing free Media Distancia subscriptions, a benefit long used by travelers to cut travel costs. The update follows reports that some users reserve seats on trains with season passes and then do not travel, a pattern the ministry highlighted this week under the leadership of Raquel Sánchez. Officials emphasize that such irregular bookings interfere with the system and limit availability for genuine travelers.
The Official State Gazette publishes the updated terms on the same day, with most provisions taking effect next Wednesday, December 7. The ministry explains that the policy readjustment tightens the operation of free Media Distancia multi-trip tickets, curbs abuse, refines how trips are officially recorded, and enforces penalties for repeated irregular use along with related measures. The objective is to preserve the subsidy’s integrity while ensuring it serves true commuters.
Under the new regime, Renfe will forfeit a 20 euro deposit and cancel the free subscription for users who fail to cancel a reservation at least three times in advance or who do not travel despite the booking. If a user racks up non-travel instances, the railway operator will be unable to issue a new pass for any medium-distance origin-destination on that route for 30 days after cancellation. The rules cover situations where abuse is detected in relation to the line. The aim is to deter repeated violations and uphold fair access for others on the network.
Currently, passengers can take advantage of traditional Medium Distance rail services by purchasing separate tickets for each departure and return trip. The pass remains valid for unlimited trips in both directions between the stated origin and destination, but the revised terms change how, when, and by whom those trips can be booked.
Before a payment and deposit are released, Renfe will send two notifications to the ticket holder once it detects that a traveler is not using the reservation as per the policy. If abuse occurs a third time, the penalty will be enforced. A seven-day transition window is established, during which the traveler will receive a violation notice without applying the measure, allowing a brief adjustment period for travelers to align with the new rules. This phased approach reflects the government’s intent to curb misuse while minimizing disruption for compliant users.
In parallel, the new conditions cap the maximum number of trips to four round trips per day that can be formalized through payment. It will also be impossible to formalize two trips in the same direction until three times the planned travel duration has elapsed. These limits balance user flexibility with the overall efficiency of the rail system, ensuring that subsidies support regular travel rather than sporadic, opportunistic use. The policy aims to strengthen the reliability of public transport and reduce crowding and wait times for daily commuters.
The government emphasizes that these measures form part of a broader strategy to safeguard the effectiveness of public transport incentives and contribute to lower carbon emissions by encouraging regular rail usage. The goal is to make public transport a more attractive and dependable option for people across the country, supporting sustainable mobility and cleaner urban environments.
New pass for minors
On high-demand trains with reserved seating, Renfe may introduce a standing quota that excludes reserved seats, signaling travel status to passengers in that service category. In these cases, up to 10 percent of seats may be offered without a reservation, and seat selection would be unavailable on these busy trains. This adjustment helps manage crowded services while preserving flexibility during peak periods and special services.
Additionally, a new Special season ticket will be issued for minors without requiring an ID, with only one ticket allowed per origin-destination pair to prevent improper use of these passes. The aim is to simplify travel for younger riders while ensuring vouchers are used correctly and fairly. Transitional rules take effect on January 1, 2023, aligning with the extension of discounts for public rail transport. This synchronization supports a smoother rollout and patient adoption by families and travelers alike.
The ministry notes that free rail passes have been well received by the public, with more than 2.2 million tickets issued. Of these, around 1.6 million are for commuter and Rodalies services, and about 627,000 pertain to the traditional Media Distancia category. These figures illustrate the broad appeal of subsidized rail travel and the ongoing importance of policy adjustments to preserve access while preventing misuse. (Source: Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urbanization)