June 16 saw the start of 220 km/h Euromed service on the Barcelona - Alicante corridor (p447) and the introduction of a new fares structure by Renfe’s Long Distance business unit, to be extended to sleeping car and couchette travel in September. The previous pricing regime based on a calendar of ’white’ (peak) and ’blue’ (off-peak) days, where ticket prices increased according to demand, has been modified to abolish ’white’ days.
Return tickets for travel at any time now enjoy a 20% discount; this reduction had only applied if both legs of the journey were to be made the same day, with other return tickets discounted by 10%. The price difference between first and second class travel has been reduced, with first class fares now some 30% more expensive than second class; this difference had been as large as 81% in some cases. o
