RENFE's 'dogs on trains' pilot launched, and all Extremadura ALVIA rail half price

RAIL board RENFE has made two announcements this week: One, that pet-parents may be able to take their dogs on trains if a pilot study works out as hoped, and two, that the long-distance ALVIA routes to and within the western region of Extremadura will be half price for the foreseeable future.

Dogs are allowed on Madrid metro (pictured), but not at present on long-distance or express trains…yet. RENFE realises allowing passengers to bring pets is likely to increase its customer base, as those who want to take their dogs on holiday would otherwise travel by car. City metro services are run by different companies, normally tied to the local council, not to the national rail board, RENFE

Concerning the second of these, the ALVIA in the land-locked region north of Andalucía and east of Portugal – which, despite being nowhere near a sea, has the highest concentration of blue flags on its beaches in Spain – has encountered an ongoing technical hitch that slows it down along parts of the network.

To avoid stress to passengers, RENFE has 'adjusted journey times' by 'a few minutes' per stop, so that travellers know how long the trip will take them and 'do not have the sensation of getting there late'.

Also, prices of all tickets on the affected network have been slashed to 50% with immediate effect, and will remain discounted until the cause of the problem is found and resolved in full.

As for the welcome news about possible future train journeys with non-human family members, RENFE is researching the feasibility of letting passengers take dogs weighing up to 40 kilos (6st 4lb, or 88lb) with them on long journeys.

An experiment will involve the high-speed AVE and Larga Distancia ('Long Distance') 'snail rail' – the service which is much slower than the express AVE, but typically much cheaper, too – along the Barcelona-Madrid route in both directions.

This is the most-used stretch on Spain's rail network, since it is a popular commuter trail.

Dogs under 40 kilos will be permitted on these services along this route from September 13, for three months, and RENFE will then decide whether this has been successful and what actions need to be taken to guarantee comfort and safety for all passengers, human and canine.

RENFE, which is now no longer the only rail company operating in Spain – the service was opened to competition for the first time in 2021 – has revealed that all its electric trains run on 100% renewable energy sources.

This is certified by AENOR and SGS, and can be checked by passengers who want to make sure train travel really is more planet-friendly than using their cars.