Antonio Cruz recently retired from a career as an intern trainer within Renfe. He stood among the railroad elders who shaped train drivers not just through practical and theoretical lessons, but through the small touches and tricks that separate good runs from great ones. On a sunny Thursday at Sants station, he walked the platform wearing a blue polo shirt and dark trousers, hands clasped behind his back. An anonymous figure, he nevertheless shared a warm smile and a moment of connection with two drivers. The AVE service from Barcelona to Lyon, carrying 240 passengers, marked a milestone. Renfe prepared to begin France operations and, by late July, announced the Madrid-Barcelona-Marseille route as part of a broader plan that would, by mid-2024, reach Paris. Early sales reflected enthusiasm: 43,000 tickets were sold in the opening period. [Citation: Renfe press brief, July 2024]
The train departed from line 4 at 8:23 am, punctual as ever. The public address system spoke in French with a brisk confidence reminiscent of a bold pilot. Renfe president Raül Blanco spoke to the gathered press, celebrating the service launch and the crossing into French territory for the first time by a Spanish driver. The moment followed the Paris operation and the Barcelona route becoming active. Blanco emphasized the historic significance of this crossing for Renfe and for the Spanish rail network. [Citation: Renfe press brief, July 2024]
Armstrong and Aldrin
That driver is Alberto Langarita, whose Basque surname sits oddly familiar to a Zaragoza origin. He is slated to pilot the Barcelona to Montpellier leg, with Jordi Gracia taking control on the return. The pairing invites a playful comparison to the Armstrong and Aldrin duo, the astronauts who took humanity to the Moon. In the rail world, Alberto and Jordi aim to push the system forward with the same pioneering spirit, forging a route that expands the map of European high speed travel.
In the continuation of consolidating cross-border rail, each province brings its own rules, procedures, and signage. Even with a European framework, regional peculiarities require renewed training and adaptation. The company treated this as an educational challenge rather than a hurdle, much like a classic comedy about going back to school.
Tour on the Tracks
Currently, twenty-six Renfe drivers will operate trains into France. The Lyon service will run from Friday to Sunday initially and become a daily affair by September. The Madrid-Barcelona-Marseille corridor, activated at the end of July, plans a time jump in October. The leadership signaled continued ambition, referencing events such as the Tour de France to illustrate the drive toward Paris. A photography exhibition in the train cars, notably in the bar area, features a striking image of a famous cyclist in a series titled Queen Stage, Paris Destination. The Renfe leadership had previewed this vision in mid-July, aiming to align sports heritage with rail travel. [Citation: Renfe press brief, July 2024]
Two and a half years after Europe liberalized rail transport, permitting both public and private operators to run services across borders, the market has expanded with high-speed offerings from AVLO, AVE, Iryo, and Ouigo. The shift has accelerated cross-border competition across the peninsula, bringing more choices to travelers and encouraging better service.
Stones on the Road
Blanco and his predecessors acknowledge that moving trains across the Pyrenees was never easy. Once the barriers were overcome, acceptance grew, with 43,000 tickets sold since the launch. Prices for the cross-border routes range from 9 to 29 euros, a pricing strategy that keeps competition lively in neighboring France while Renfe faces challenges from new high-speed operators.
For the first time, unlike the Barcelona to Madrid route, an open space now accommodates passengers along with a laptop and a few chairs. The service is expected to attract a mix of travelers, including students, families on vacation, and older tourists, expanding the appeal beyond professional travel. The route is expected to boost tourist links between towns and cities across the region, connecting Girona, Figueres, Perpinyà, Narbonne, Béziers, Montpellier, Nîmes, and beyond. Similar opportunities will link Madrid-Marseille with Guadalajara Yebes, Zaragoza Delicias, Camp de Tarragona, Barcelona Sants, Girona, Figueres Vilafant, Perpinyà, Narbonne, Béziers, Montpellier, Nîmes, Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence.
In December, trains across the corridor opened a new chapter in cross-border travel, marking a century of European rail evolution through collaborative projects and shared infrastructure. The focus remains on sustaining passenger comfort, safety, and reliability as the service scales up to meet growing demand. Be it junior travelers or Olympic athletes, the aim is to create a seamless cross-border journey that fosters broader European connectivity. [Citation: Renfe press brief, July 2024]
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