SPAIN: National operator RENFE has agreed to provide third party ticket retailers with access to real-time ticketing and train running information which is currently only available through its own platforms.
On May 19 RENFE met with the UNAV travel agency association which has 120 full members. Agreement was reached to roll-out new contracts for the supply of full data, with travel agencies and retailers required to make clear that it comes from the state operator.
UNAV President José Luis Méndez said the relationship with RENFE was collaborative, and new contracts would meet travel agents’ future requirements.
In April the European Commission announced a formal investigation to assess whether RENFE may have abused its dominant position in the passenger rail market by refusing to provide third-party ticketing platforms with full information on its range of tickets, discounts and features, and real time data on its services.
