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SPAIN has introduced a new nationwide public transport pass costing €60 a month, aimed at making travel cheaper for residents and encouraging people to rely less on cars.
The scheme is officially called the Abono Único, or Single Season Ticket.
The pass is non-transferable and personal. It provides unlimited travel for 30 day on all state buses as well as many regional train services.
The pass is valid for 30 days.
The general price is €60 per month.
A discounted version costs €30 for young people aged 26 or under who were born on or after 1 January 2000.
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For the youth discount to be applied, travelers must register on the website of the Ministry of Transport and receive a free code before buying the pass.
This ticket provides unlimited travel on interregional buses operated by the state.
The law also applies to commuter trains run by Renfe such as Renfe Cercanias or Rodalies de Catalonia.
Renfe Avant offers some regional high-speed trains as well as Renfe Media Distancia.
Included routes range from Madrid to Salamanca, Alicante to Murcia, Ourense to A Coruña and Barcelona to Tortosa.
However, ‘unlimited travel’ comes with several important conditions that many travellers may overlook.
The majority of bus routes require you to make a booking before traveling. You are usually only allowed one booking per direction and per day, unless it is cancelled.
If there are less than 180 minute between departures, Media Distancia passengers can’t reserve consecutive trains.
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There is a limit of four return trips per day with a reservation for a seat.
It is not necessary to book or reserve specific journeys ahead of time.
The pass is intended primarily for residents, not short-term visitors.
The pass can only by used by its registered owner.
Tickets can be purchased at ticket offices and self-service machines in stations, as well as on websites or apps operated by operators such Renfe and participating buses companies.
The validity date of a subscription cannot be altered once it has been purchased. Subscriptions that are cancelled will not receive a refund.
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