Avant train users denounce "lack of transparency" and a "hidden price increase" by Renfe.

BarcelonaThe 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."

Renfe launched this new pass at the start of the year, maintaining the 50% discount already applied to Avant service fares. It's a three-month pass, replacing the other existing passes (the Plus 10-45 and 30-50 cards). The main change is that you no longer buy a pack Instead of fixed-price tickets, they can be purchased as needed, and the more trips you take, the cheaper the ticket becomes. Renfe describes it as a "progressive" discount that benefits frequent users.

However, after many calculations, the Avant Catalunya Users platform believes that in many cases "it's not worth it" and you end up paying more for each trip. They also complain that the only card that coexists with the Pass Via, The 10-trip pass over 30 days "has become more expensive in all cases." "I travel for work three days a week to Barcelona from Lleida, and according to my calculations, the new pass only makes sense from the 29th trip onwards," explains Kevin Bruque, a user and spokesperson for the platform. "Today, for example, I'll pay €8.65 with the "With the Vía pass, while with the old 30-50 pass, I would have paid €5.76," he argues. "What I see, in the end, is that they've raised the price."

Uncertainty among users

Bruque explains that the user chats—which already have several hundred passengers in Catalonia alone—have been buzzing for days. "Everyone is calculating what's most cost-effective to buy, and it's very difficult to predict how many trips you'll take in a whole quarter, taking into account holidays and long weekends." Furthermore, the platform laments that Renfe hasn't published all the information about the discounts, "which makes it impossible to know how they're calculated or what discount scale is applied, which is internal [to Renfe] and subject to change." "Ultimately, we users want to know what our expenses will be, and we feel mistreated once again, because we're racking our brains and seeing that to get the best deal, we have to make a huge number of trips a month," the user spokesperson asserts.

The uncertainty generated by this new season ticket – which is already in operation but still awaiting approval in Congress – has even led users to create a price calculator to facilitate their calculations and purchasing decisions. A group of users voluntarily created it, collecting data and programming an algorithm. "We're organizing ourselves, as always, because the changes have worsened our quality of life," laments Bruque.

Nevertheless, the platform acknowledges that Renfe's "intention" with these new fares wasn't bad "and had a lot of potential." They appreciate not having to pay large sums of money all at once, but rather paying as they travel, and also that the 50% discount has been maintained. However, they believe that, in practice, the new ticket "has been poorly implemented." "Although some things have been made more flexible, it's a Machiavellian tactic because at the same time they're doing this, they're significantly increasing the price of the ten-trip season ticket. Therefore, in the summer – when the ten-trip pass isn't cost-effective – the price of the ten-trip ticket is very high." "Via Pass – we'll pay more if we use it," the platform points out.

Integration with regional and commuter rail lines

The platform also laments that the ministry has ignored "all of the demands" of users, such as improving service frequency, increasing seat capacity, reducing cancellation penalties, or integrating Avant services into the regional and commuter rail fare system, as is already the case with the Tortosa Avant Express. However, Renfe sources explain that this latter service is not considered a "pure" Avant because part of its route, between Tortosa and Cambrils, runs on conventional (not high-speed) track. That is why, they argue, it has a different fare structure. "With the demand they have The Avant trains in Catalonia are full every day"They could afford to lower rates," Bruque replies.

Sources at the operator also deny any "lack of transparency." "Renfe announced the fare change weeks ago, and we have all the information on the website and through the usual sales channels," they point out. The company assures that the information "is detailed" and that users can see "how to purchase the Vía Pass, its validity, when it's worthwhile, and all the conditions." "We know that, as with all changes, there are questions that we try to answer to facilitate access to these discounts for frequent users," the company states.

The new system, the operator emphasizes, is part of a strategy to modernize the service and reinforces a public transport system that is "more flexible, efficient, and aligned with current travel habits," they conclude.