Renfe's 2020–2028 Accessibility Plan seeks to guarantee inclusive rail transport, eliminating physical, sensory and cognitive barriers. It is structured in five pillars: Trains, stations, information and communication, people and empowering actions. It includes the renovation of trains and stations, technological improvements, staff training and collaboration with social entities. Its goal is to achieve a 100% accessible network by 2028, promoting autonomy and equal opportunities for all people, especially those with disabilities or reduced mobility, thus consolidating a more humane and universal mobility.
Renfe has made important improvements to Cercanías and Rodalies stations, including comprehensive renovations, installation of ramps and escalators, creation of accessible routes, renovation of street furniture and implementation of the ARES system. These actions have increased accessibility to most of the Cercanías stations with a high frequency of passengers.
Renfe is promoting the renewal of its fleet with trains designed under universal accessibility criteria, improving the travel experience for all people and promoting more inclusive mobility.
Taking into account that there is a wide range of disabilities and that each of them is different, the general recommendations for the interaction or care of people with special needs are:
Renfe Operadora offers its passengers a free service and assistance for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility, provided by Adif. It is a specialised service that guides, informs and facilitates the traveller's access and transit through the stations, as well as assistance in getting on and off the trains.
The Assistance Service's staff ("mobility assistants") is made up of people who are duly trained, qualified, and sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities.
The scope of Renfe Operadora's commitment to the service for people with disabilities is extended to people with reduced mobility who require assistance, without which it is impossible for them to access rail transport, as well as specific attention in case of an incident that may occur during their journey.
The Assistance Service has been expanding its services since its launch, offering passengers a greater number of accessible stations and trains, reducing the notice time for requesting assistance, and permanent assistance services, without the need for notice, at the main stations.
Renfe Operadora continues to make progress in the development of its universal accessibility strategies, in a process of continuous improvement, developing accessibility plans in relation to trains, always from the premise of the necessary agreement with the social agents involved (Cermi and Fundación Once), with the aim of becoming the mode of transport of reference for people with disabilities.
The video call service is especially aimed at people with hearing disabilities and is attended only in Spanish sign language.
Renfe has improved digital signage and accessible information channels through pictograms, Braille, magnetic loops, apps with elevator warnings and interactive terminals with remote assistance.
Renfe has launched a new inclusive fare for H seats, intended for people with reduced mobility who travel in wheelchairs. This fixed rate of €7 applies to all journeys on AVE (high-speed), Avlo, Alvia, Euromed, Intercity and international services trains.
The H seats allow you to travel in your own wheelchair, guaranteeing comfort and accessibility. The initiative is part of Renfe's commitment to equality and universal accessibility. The reservation can be easily made from the renfe.com.
We have published an easy-to-read travel guide for our High-Speed and Long-Distance trains, designed especially for people with reading comprehension difficulties.
This guide has been prepared with the collaboration of Plena Inclusión España and follows the UNE 153101:2018 EX Easy Reading Standard, validated by professionals with intellectual disabilities.
Easy-to-read guide on the commercial structure of Renfe Viajeros.
Renfe, in collaboration with ADIF and INECO, have installed an accessible kiosk in Malaga María Zambrano, as part of the MOTIONAL project.
The installed device offers accessible and personalised information, guided with Navilens so that people with disabilities can orient themselves and move autonomously and safely around the station, provides information on train schedules, ticket scanning and robotic assistance.
It improves the mobility of people with disabilities in multimodal environments, with simultaneous tactile, sound and visual interaction.
Renfe has incorporated NaviLens technology to improve accessibility for the visually impaired.
Through special codes that can be easily scanned with a mobile app, users receive spoken information about services, schedules, platforms and routes.
Unlike QR codes, NaviLens codes do not require the camera to be focused and can be read from several meters away.
This innovation is present in stations, trains and signage, facilitating the orientation and autonomy of passengers.
With this initiative, Renfe reinforces its commitment to inclusion and universal accessibility in rail transport.
As part of its commitment to universal accessibility, Renfe is holding awareness-raising days aimed at employees and users. These activities promote empathy, knowledge and continuous improvement in the care of people with disabilities, promoting a more humane, inclusive and respectful mobility.