Renfe has launched a new direct AVE (high-speed train) service between Catalonia and Andalusia, connecting Barcelona with Malaga and Cordoba without the need for transfers. This new service, which began operating on Monday, reinforces the operator’s rail offer between the two regions, which already had 14,000 weekly seats.
New AVE
The new AVE offers frequencies that improve communication and reduce travel times between the two autonomous communities. The train departs from Malaga at 17:57h, with stops in Cordoba at 18:46h and Madrid at 20:47h, before continuing on to Zaragoza, where it arrives at 22:26h, and ends its journey in Barcelona at 23:55h. This service will be available daily, except on Saturdays. On the reverse route, the train leaves Barcelona at 5:50h, with stops in Zaragoza at 7:33h, in Madrid at 9:10h and in Cordoba at 11:32h, arriving in Malaga at 12:36h, running from Monday to Friday.
This new train adds to the existing offer of 14,000 weekly seats between Catalonia and Andalusia, in addition to providing numerous options for combined trips under a single guaranteed ticket, which facilitates the connection of routes between different trains.
Renfe had announced the sale of tickets for these new direct AVE trains in mid-August. They informed that tickets are available at the company’s usual channels. With the addition of this service, the weekly schedule between Malaga and Barcelona will have a total of 39 direct trains. In addition, travel options will be offered with links between two trains. These will be marketed through a single integrated ticket. This increases flexibility and accessibility for passengers.
Renfe emphasizes that for both tourism and business travel, it offers more destinations than any other operator thanks to its High Speed and Long Distance network, which covers a large part of the Spanish territory in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. This network not only connects the country’s main cities, but also allows efficient and comfortable mobility, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation.
Operation Return: a success in high demand
In another area, Renfe informed that during the vacation return operation, the company transported close to 410,000 passengers. The dates on which it was carried out were from August 30 to September 2. This was on its high-speed and long-distance services, including AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed and Intercity trains. This number represents an increase of 60,000 passengers compared to the same period last year. In that period, 346,000 passengers were counted.
Growth was particularly notable in the country’s northern corridor, on services to Galicia and Asturias, where demand increased by 26% compared to the previous year. A 21% increase was also recorded on routes connecting Madrid with Andalusia, reflecting the continued growth in demand in these areas.
In addition, the lines connecting Catalonia and the Valencian Community experienced almost full occupancy. In general, Renfe’s Alta Velocidad and Larga Distancia services during these days maintained an occupancy rate of over 90%.
Increase in number of vacancies and operational plan
To cope with the increase in travelers during the return from vacations, Renfe expanded its offer with nearly 20,000 additional seats on the most demanded high-speed lines. The company implemented a special operational plan to guarantee efficiency and service quality during these days of high rail traffic demand.
This plan included measures such as the activation of all communication channels to keep users informed in real time, the expansion of staff at key stations and the presence of specialized personnel on tracks, catenaries and signaling. In addition, Renfe set up information points at high-speed stations, staffed by company personnel, to provide direct assistance to passengers.
Preventive inspections were also carried out on the air conditioning and comfort systems of the trains. Likewise, the availability of workshop trains was guaranteed to attend any eventuality. In addition, personnel in the workshops and control and information centers were reinforced. This was done to ensure optimum operability and better coordination between the different departments.
Image courtesy of https://www.renfe.com, all rights reserved.
