As the data released this week reveals that the AVE high speed train carried 12% more passengers in the first six months of the year compared to last year, the train operator RENFE has also announced “quiet coaches” on all services from the autumn.
A coach with dimmed lighting and a ban on noise from such devices as mobile phones and computers was introduced on some services this week, with the 42 passengers arriving on the first one between Madrid and Seville being seen as testament to the desire for peace and quiet on the train.
As well as a control on electronic noise, announcements are kept to a minimum, except in an emergency, and children under 14 years of age, and pets, are banned from travelling in the carriage. The president of Renfe, Julio Gómez-Pomar, explained that this service cannot be used by children under 14 because the quiet zone, available at no extra cost, is for those who want to rest, saying that “we cannot fill the silent car with pets or babies, because then it would be anything but quiet”.
During a presentation of the new service at Madrid-Atocha station, the Minister of Development, Ana Pastor, stated that the idea “comes in response to customer demand of the train, who claimed to choose a type of travel where the prime focus is on work or reading and the ability to relax and unwind”.
This news also comes immediately after the announcement that the Madrid to the Costa Blanca high speed service will now have the promised connecting bus to both Torrevieja and Benidorm.
This service commences on Monday the 15th of July and connects the coastal cities with the inland station at Villena, where onward travel by train can be made connecting with the bus.
It was initially thought that a bus link could be provided between Benidorm and Torrevieja and the closer station of Alicante, but protests from taxi drivers complaining that the buses would cause congestion meant that the local government there blocked the move, although they did agree a shuttle between the train and bus station.
The service, operated under the Alsa bus company name, will depart and arrive at the Eras de la Sal bus station in Torrevieja, with tickets available for the entire journey.
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