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Spain to introduce new low-cost, high-speed train services

Friday, December 13, 2019

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A new low-cost, high-speed train services will start running between Madrid and Barcelona on April 6, 2020 which will be at significantly lower fares.

 

 

For almost three decades Spain’s Ave network has been in operation with trains travelling at almost 200mph. It had high fares as compared to flying and only appealed to the business travellers.

 

There are dozens of flights each day between the Spanish and Catalan capitals, the fares are available at around €50 one way for travellers booking a few days ahead
However, the cheapest train ticket on the same basis is €67.

 

Renfe, the national operator has revealed a budget brand called Avlo on the flagship route from Madrid via Zaragoza to Barcelona.

 

Details of prices, ticketing or schedules have not been announced yet and chances are that all the bookings will be made online and there will be no online like restrictions on baggage.

 

 

The president of Renfe, Isaías Táboas, described Avlo stated that a low-priced product for consumers which means there is a product for everyone, so that everyone can get on the railway which is the goal.

 

 

 

Both SNFC of France and Trenitalia are involved in competing start-ups and they aim to make high-speed rail more appealing. Another is to head off competition with new “open-access” train operators.

 

In 2013, SNFC introduced low-cost, high-speed travel with its Ouigo brand, there were criticism that such developments might lead to a more fragmented system at a time when railway system should be more cohesive.

 

 

Commenting on the announcement of Avlo, the international rail expert Mark Smith, founder of Seat61.com mentioned that he was not sure if these are additional or, like Ouigo in France, a cannibalisation of the existing services which has lead to fragmentation and gaps in the normal timetable.

 

Over the next two years, Avlo will be extended to other high-speed lines.

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