Renfe moved a total of 91,947 free season passes for Cercanías, Rodalies, and Media Distancia on the first day they could be claimed for travel between September 1 and December 31, 2022, according to the announcement made the previous day. The update marks a pivotal step in making commuter rail more accessible during the autumn travel window, with many riders eager to take advantage of the new free-season program.
Online purchases accounted for 65% of the total, while 35% were completed at Renfe stations through box offices and vending machines. This split highlights the growing role of digital channels in ticketing, while still showing strong demand at physical points of sale for those who prefer in-person service or need immediate confirmation of eligibility.
On Wednesday, Renfe opened the window to receive the free Cercanías, Rodalies, and Media Distancia transport cards, offering a 100% bonus for those who complete at least 16 trips in the final quarter of the year. The policy is designed to reward higher usage while encouraging regular travel through the end-of-year period.
Renfe users can now secure new free season tickets
Since August 8, more than 383,000 people have registered on the Renfe website to speed up the process of acquiring subscriptions that will be valid during the measure’s active period. The registration surge underscores strong public interest in a program that promises significant cost relief for regular rail commuters.
In addition to Cercanías and Media Distancia, the pricing for Avant service tickets includes a 50% discount for the duration of the term, and new subscriptions are introduced for high-speed commercial routes on selected lines. This expansion broadens the impact of the free-season framework, ensuring that frequent travelers across different service tiers can benefit from substantial savings.