Yesterday’s 28 April blackout is having some unforeseen side effects. Renfe has mistakenly sent automatic communications to numerous recurrent Media Distancia season ticket holders.
They were notified of a breach of their ticket conditions for not using the reserved seats on Monday and Tuesday, days when the historic power blackout paralysed the Spanish rail network.
The company has clarified that these messages result from an automated process and that the affected travellers will not be penalised.
Renfe has announced that it will cancel all the alleged infringements registered on those dates, as travel was impossible due to the total suspension of train services due to the lack of electricity supply, not due to a decision of the users.
The blackout, which began at 12:33 on Monday and left thousands of passengers stranded on trains and in stations, has generated a flood of incidents and complaints throughout the country. Renfe reminds affected passengers that they can request a refund or exchange of their tickets at no additional cost.
At Trainvelling we are reporting on developments in all rail services today.