Spain – Renfe new commercial model that lowers fare prices
Renfe will launch a new ticket purchasing system that will change the current rates and classes, with the aim of offering customers greater personalisation with trips and lowering prices. The new ticketing system will include three rates ‘Basic’, ‘Choose’ and ‘Premium’. ‘Basic’ includes a standard seat and does not allow changes, cancellations or choice of seat while ‘Choose’ offers a far more configurable service allowing passengers to choose type of seat, restaurant services, improve the options for changes and cancellations or buy a ticket for pets. The ‘Premium’, aimed at travellers who demand to have the widest range of possibilities, will have all the additional services included, such as bringing a pet or the default ‘comfort’ seat. This new ticketing system has lowered prices for passengers. For example, the price of a trip by AVE from Madrid to Barcelona will start from €27.25, compared to the previous cheapest rate starting from €32.65, representing a 16.5% discount.