Iryo makes inaugural run – International Railway Journal | So Good News

SPAIN’S first private high-speed operator Iryo began carrying fare-paying passengers on November 25, when it launched a service of 12 trains a day each way on the Madrid – Zaragoza – Barcelona route.

The first service departed from Madrid Atocha at 06.45, with the first Iryo train leaving Barcelona Sants at 07.05. The fastest direct journey time between the two cities is 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Prior to the launch of commercial services, Iryo had made a first run from Madrid to Valencia on 21 November. On board the Frecciarossa 1000 train were the Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, Raquel Sánchez, and the President of Spanish infrastructure manager Adif, María Luisa Domínguez, as well as over 100 business leaders and other stakeholders.

After the launch on the route Madrid – Zaragoza – Barcelona, ​​on December 16, Iryo will start operating from the Spanish capital to Cuenca and Valencia.

Services will also be extended from Madrid to Córdoba, Antequera, Málaga and Seville on 31 March. The Iryo network will be completed on 2 June with the start of operations on the route Madrid – Albacete – Alicante.

Iryo is the first private operator to enter the Spanish high-speed market. Its majority shareholder is Trenitalia with a 45% stake, with 31% owned by Operador Ferroviario de Levante (OFL), a subsidiary of Spanish regional airline Air Nostrum, and the remaining 24% by Globalvia.

The new entrant says it will offer passengers “the best travel experience in the rail sector”, with a fleet of 20 Hitachi Frecciarossa 1000 trains offering four classes of accommodation tailored to customer needs.

These range from the basic Inicial to the Singular, Singular Only You and Infinita classes aimed at the business and premium markets. All seats have plug and USB sockets, free Wi-Fi on board and 5G connection.

Iryo also hopes to differentiate itself from the competition with Haizea, its own onboard catering brand that offers freshly prepared food including seasonal ingredients and healthy options, as well as premium beverage brands and a changing wine list selected from Spain’s top producers.

Passengers with Iryo tickets will be able to travel for free on Spanish National Railways (Renfe) suburban services in the cities served by the new high-speed operator.

Iryo has also signed a codeshare agreement with Air Europa to offer combined flight and train tickets, as well as a worldwide distribution agreement with Amadeus. Iryo is a full member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and continues to work on new strategic agreements.

“Iryo, Ouigo from France and Renfe from Spain are already competing on an equal footing on the Spanish rail network, within the framework of the liberalization process recently carried out by our country, which has made us the first on the continent to have three peaks. companies that supply high-speed services, says Sánchez.

“Today is a big day for the Spanish liberalization process as Iryo has made its maiden voyage,” says Iryo President Carlos Bertomeu.

“I feel that this journey began a few years ago when we started thinking about what the new mobility should be, and after months of intense work, this project has become a reality. Personalization, flexibility, sustainability and integrated design are now part of mobility in Spain.”

Trenitalia CEO Luigi Corradi says the launch of Iryo was “the result of the coming together of Italian and Spanish experience in high-speed and customer service.”

“It is a source of pride for me and for Trenitalia to see the Frecciarossa 1000 about to run between the country’s main cities.”

An interview with Iryo CEO, Mr Simone Gorini, will appear in the December issue of IRJ.