Originally named Eva when announced in February last year, the service will be targeted at attracting large groups, families and young passengers to switch from road. Avlo will gradually be introduced across Spain through 2020 and 2021.
The brand was revealed during a visit by minister of public works, Mr José Luis Ábalos, and Renfe president, Mr Isaías Táboas, to Renfe’s manufacturing and maintenance facilities in Villaseca de la Sagra, Toledo, where the design and configuration of the first Avlo train has taken place.
Renfe is converting Talgo series 112 trains at its workshops in Madrid, La Sagra, Málaga and Valladolid. The reconfigured fleet will have 438 seats per train, 20% more than the standard series 112 units.
As the service is extended, new series 106 trains with capacity for 581 passengers will be introduced.
Renfe says the launch of Avlo is strategic, with the upcoming liberalisation of the passenger market in December 2020. High-speed infrastructure manager Adif AV has selected three bids from operators to negotiate access agreements to run services on three high-speed corridors, including Renfe, the Ilsa consortium of Trenitalia and Air Nostrum, and Rielsfera, a subsidiary of French National Railways (SNCF). Three other bidders - the Talgo Globalia alliance, Globalvía and Eco Rail - were unsuccessful.
