LupineChemist

http://www.expansion.com/empresas/tr...d048b459a.html (in Spanish)

Looks like IB will start issuing combined AVE tickets for connections within Spain. Still no word on opening an AVE station at T4.

Yllanes

A welcome step forward, the Bus & Fly system was working well.

BlueEgg

Many thanks for alerting us about this news article and about this very interesting website. Just read the article. At present, to get from T4 (MAD) to catch an AVE from Atocha (the city's main train terminal), one has to take the commuter train (Cercanias) from T4 (next to the Metro). But first, one needs to scan the pre-purchased AVE ticket to get the free commuter train ticket (which is essential) and this takes a little time. This train runs every half hour and takes just under half an hour to make this commute. If one makes it in time, one gets to Atocha in half an hour. If one misses it, it can mean getting to Atocha in an hour, earliest. On exiting the commuter train, one needs first to get out into the main hall and then finds one's way to the appropriate train.
When one wants to get to T4 from an AVE train (from elsewhere in Spain), one reverses the process. Again, one has to exit into the main hall to reboard the commuter train PLUS one has to go to a ticket machine to scan the AVE ticket to get the free commuter train ticket.
The point is that if the commuter trains could run more frequently (say three or even four trains per hour during peak time), it would make life much easier.

LupineChemist

Yes, I would hope they increase to 4x per hour. There is already a train that goes to Fuente de la Mora in between each trip to the airport. It wouldn't hurt to send it one more stop.

There will also be a direct connection from the Cercanías station to the AVE waiting area (currently under construction)