The attempts by the Ministry of Transport and Renfe to improve and modernize rail fares in 2026 have failed to convince users. This time it's the passengers of Avant trains, Renfe's high-speed service with regulated prices – which in practice functions as an extension of regional trains or an alternative to commuter rail– those who have rebelled and denounce the new payment system, the so-called The Vía Pass is "opaque" and generates a "hidden price increase."

After many weeks of political debate and uncertainty, the Spanish and Catalan governments have stepped on the gas and, in less than 24 hours, have defined and announced next year's transport fares and ticket types. Now, with these new changes, understanding the vast array of options, prices, and discounts is no easy task, and users will have to carefully consider which ticket offers the best value starting next year. We break down all the changes and announcements made in the last few hours in four sections:

It's just a few minutes past nine in the morning, and the center's soundtrack is constant howls, flapping wings, and chirping. It's the end of July, and a new heat wave is already in sight. "Today I have three necropsies and several urgent cases to attend to," Rafael Molina tells us as soon as we arrive, gesturing for us to join him. "Where would you like to start?"

Change in rail transport discounts, which will no longer be free in July. The Regional Minister for Territory, Sílvia Paneque, rectified this and announced changes this Wednesday in the Government's control session. Paneque confirmed that the discounts for regional trains will be increased from the initially planned 40% to 60% starting in July. The Minister stated this in a response to ERC and clarified that this will correct the Comparative "grievance" between users of regional trains and commuter trains.

In five weeks, free Renfe tickets will end. The discounts established to mitigate the effects of inflation three years ago are waning, and starting in July, people will have to pay again. Last February, the Secretary of Mobility of the Generalitat, Manel Nadal, explained in Parliament that starting in the summer, free travel would give way to a 20 euro flat rate for traveling with Cercanías. But with only a few days left until the new fare system is implemented, some users already believe it will generate a "comparative grievance" between municipalities. The reason? Well, those towns not served by the Cercanías (local rail) service—even if it's just for a few kilometers—will have to pay four or five times more for traveling just a little longer, one or two more stops.

It's only been a year since he was appointed director of the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità. Before that, Manuel Valdés - an engineer by training - had spent 17 years at Barcelona City Hall, where he promoted the new bus network, the low-emission zone, the superblocks and the tram along the Diagonal. All this experience, he says, has helped him to delve into the "engine room" that is the ATM: "In the morning I want to see the message that everything is working normally."

This summer will undoubtedly be a mosquito season. The frequent rainfall in Catalonia during spring, alongside high temperatures, will lead to a high number of insects. On the other hand, the heat will also mean cockroaches, rats and other rodents. The Catalan Association of Environmental Health Companies (Adepap) emphasises that in most cases (especially mosquitoes and rodents) these are species that transmit viruses and diseases, and therefore recommends taking preventive measures and relying on specialised professionals to combat pests and carry out disinfections.