The countdown begins for travelers eager to take advantage of free travel on Renfe's Cercanías, Rodalies, and Media Distancia services. Starting Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has opened the application period for free season tickets for the months of May and June, with new conditions in place regarding the refundable deposit.
Previously, users were required to make 16 trips to qualify for a refund of their deposit. However, under the new guidelines, only eight trips are necessary to recover the deposit, effectively halving the requirement. This change is aimed at encouraging more people to utilize public transport as the government seeks to promote collective transport and reduce the carbon footprint.
The free season tickets will be valid from May 1 to June 30, 2025, and are available for the Cercanías and Media Distancia train services, as well as for intercity buses. The deposit remains at 10 euros for Cercanías and Rodalies, and 20 euros for Media Distancia services. The refundable deposit will be returned to users who complete the required number of trips.
To apply for the free season tickets, travelers must be registered with Renfe through its website or mobile applications, or they can obtain the tickets at ticket offices or self-service machines located at train stations. If the deposit is paid by credit card, the refund will be processed automatically. For cash payments, users must request their refund in person.
In addition to the changes in the refund process, the government has announced that starting July 1, 2025, a new system will be implemented that will offer a single Cercanías ticket valid for all zones across Spain at a cost of 20 euros per month. Discounts will also be available for young people and free travel for children under 15 years old.
For Media Distancia services, the tickets will be issued based on specific origin and destination routes, and will feature a deposit of 20 euros that will also be refunded after the completion of eight trips. The discounts for regular passengers on Media Distancia will reach up to 50% for young people aged 15 to 26 years, while children under 15 will travel for free.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Transport has committed to maintaining free Cercanías and Ancho Métrico services in Asturias and Cantabria throughout the year, with the same conditions as previously established. However, in these areas, the free tickets will retain their quarterly validity, with the minimum number of trips required for deposit recovery remaining at 16.
As part of the new initiative, a multi-trip ticket will also be introduced, valid between May 1 and June 30, 2025. This ticket will require a deposit that varies based on the cost of the ticket for each journey. The deposit will be 20 euros for journeys costing up to 5 euros, 35 euros for tickets priced between 5.01 and 13 euros, 50 euros for journeys costing between 13.01 and 25 euros, and 65 euros for tickets over 25 euros.
The government hopes these measures will not only ease the financial burden on regular commuters but also encourage more people to opt for public transport over private vehicles, thereby alleviating traffic congestion and contributing to environmental sustainability.
Travelers are reminded of the importance of canceling unused reservations to facilitate access for other users. The new system aims to enhance the quality of public transport and promote the use of bicycles as a common means of transport.
With these changes, the government is clearly signaling its commitment to improving public transport accessibility and affordability, while also addressing the pressing issues of climate change and urban mobility.
