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Rivalling the current rail operators Renfe and Ouigo, Iryo’s distinctive red fleet hits the tracks this week, offering a third option for low-cost, high-speed train travel across Spain.

 

The launch kicks off on Monday November 21 with a maiden voyage along the Madrid-Valencia route, which will officially open to passengers on December 16. Commerical trips to Zaragoza and Barcelona will begin this coming Friday.

 

Owned by Air Nostrum, Globalvia and Trenitalia, Iryo’s budget routes will bring more welcome competition to the rail market, which the other two companies have thus far dominated. Renfe and the French Ouigo already operate the Barcelona route, but Iryo’s ‘red arrows’ will make their mark on Malaga, Antequera, Seville and Cordoba by March next year, extending to Alicante and Albacete in June.

 

Spain began its liberalisation of the railway sector back in December 2020 and although the process was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, Iryo was successful in landing the second highest number of train trips in 2019, after the top bid by Renfe’s Avlo. This third company now plans to cater to eight million passengers with its new routes.

 

The objective of Spain’s railway liberalisation was to offer cheaper prices to all train users.

 

“Liberalisation has been positive because it has allowed us to have more services and offers,” a Renfe spokesperson explained, insisting that its AVE service still comes out on top thanks to its commitment to punctuality.

 

Although Avlo (Renfe's low-price high-speed line) and Ouigi have refused to release the average price of their tickets, they start from seven and nine euros, respectively. However, both operate a dynamic system similar to hotels and airlines, where tickets go up according to demand and there’s no ceiling.

 

On the other hand, tickets on Iryo trains start at 18 euros and unlike with Renfe and Ouigi, passengers can make changes to their booking.

 

Image: Iryo on Twitter