What are proximity services?

Since 2023 and over a period of three years, Renfe will launch its new proximity rail services. These rail routes run at intermediate frequencies encompassing Cercanías (Commuter) services and Media Distancia (Mid-distance) services, in response to citizen's daily mobility needs.

These routes, part of the public service obligations (PSO), under the name of proximity services, are:

  • Murcia - Cartagena
  • Palma del Río and Villa del Río
  • Málaga-El Chorro-Caminito del Rey
  • Medina del Campo-Valladolid-Palencia
  • Illescas and Fuenlabrada/Humanes

The Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda has approved the frequencies, timetables and rates for these proximity services, which in 2024 will be freeon account of the free passes available for Cercanías (Commuter) and Media Distancia (Mid-distance) travel.

One-way and return tickets, discounts, etc., can be purchased at station ticket offices, travel agencies, over the phone, online and at self-service machines. Multi-trip tickets can be purchased at station ticket offices, self-service machines and online.


Proximity services

Murcia-Cartagena

The proximity service between Murcia and Cartagena currently has 10 trains running in each direction on weekdays. On Saturdays and Sundays, there are 6 trains running in each direction; please check the schedules on public holidays.

Palma del Río-Villa del Río

In addition to the current Media Distancia (Mid-distance) and Metrotren services in Córdoba, there are now 4 additional trains running between Palma del Río and Villa del Río, with 4 trains running from Villarrubia to Palma del Río and from Alcolea to Villa del Río on weekdays.

Malaga-El Chorro-Caminito del Rey

The existing Media Distancia (Mid-distance) services have been complemented by 2 new round trip services on the C2 Cercanías line in the Álora-El Chorro/Caminito del Rey section, up to a total of 5 trips on weekdays from Malaga to El Chorro and 6 from El Chorro to Málaga. 

Medina del Campo-Valladolid-Palencia

The existing Media Distancia (Mid-distance) services will be improved with new trains to provide 18 services in each direction between Valladolid and Medina del Campo and 15 services in each direction between Valladolid and Palencia. 

Illescas-Fuenlabrada/Humanes

The existing Media Distancia (Mid-distance) services will be complemented by 2 new shuttle trains in each direction on workdays from Monday to Friday, starting/ending in Illescas/Fuenlabrada and stopping in Humanes in both directions, offering a total of 7 daily trips in each direction.