The Madrid Commuter Rail network registered over 204.4 million travelers during 2025, representing a 3.8% increase in demand compared to the previous year. According to Renfe, this figure marks the first time that pre-pandemic traveler levels have been surpassed.
This data, included in a report by the Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid (CRTM) presented at the Board of Directors meeting, comes despite the end of free public transport, promoted by the central Government, on July 1, 2025.
Single commuter rail tickets saw a notable 52% increase, adding over 5 million journeys. Additionally, the transport pass grew by 10.8%, with an additional 2.5 million trips recorded in October after the free pass was discontinued.
The report also highlights that the commuter rail network, for the first time since the pandemic-induced drop in demand, showed a favorable balance of 1.86 million additional travelers compared to 2019.
In terms of service, Renfe indicates that the compliance rate for services operated stood at 98.3%, regularity reached 85.5% (a 1.3-point increase over 2024), and punctuality was at 68.4% (2.5 percentage points higher than the previous year).
The company emphasizes that most operational parameters for Cercanías Madrid improved in 2025, despite incidents such as the April power outage and works at Atocha and the Sol tunnel during July and August.
At the same Board of Directors meeting, a change in the issuance of the Personal Public Transport Card (TTP) was approved, which since last Monday requires proof of residency registration.
“"We will reiterate our frontal rejection of a measure that we consider unjustified and contrary to the principle of equality in access to public transport, by introducing discrimination among citizens based on their place of residence."
Renfe, which does not have a vote on the Board, believes this measure could harm a "very significant" portion of its users, given that 75% of travelers use the transport pass. Therefore, it will request an urgent convening of the monitoring committee to analyze the consequences.
The company has stressed that mobility policy should focus on reducing car use and promoting public transport, "without discriminating based on place of residency."
