A comprehensive analysis conducted by the ACN, comparing official timetables from May 2000 with those from November 2025 (prior to the Gelida incident and speed restrictions), has revealed that trains now require more time to complete their routes. This trend is partly explained by the increase in stops on many routes, although some lines, such as the R4 in Penedès, already showed significant delays a few months ago compared to 2000.
“"There is an increase in trains stopping at all stations and in frequencies, but what has not increased is the network's capacity."
Sources from the railway sector attribute this situation to the need to expand network capacity and carry out infrastructure maintenance. In this regard, they call for the implementation of more semi-direct trains to optimize travel times. The study considered the fastest journeys towards the Catalan capital, excluding the first and last services of the day due to their low representativeness.
The president of the Association for the Promotion of Public Transport (PTP), Adrià Ramírez, stated in an interview with the ACN that the increase in trains with more stops and frequencies has not been accompanied by an increase in network capacity. This has led to faster or semi-direct trains having to yield space, extending their journey times or even disappearing. Ramírez advocates for expanding capacity to offer both all-stop and semi-direct services.
“"The lack of investment in infrastructure has led to a weakening of the railway system."
For his part, the director of the Centre for Transport Studies, Joan Carles Salmerón, also told the ACN that the slowness is due to a lack of investment in infrastructure, which has weakened the railway system. He also highlighted that works started a few years ago, although necessary, have also contributed to longer travel times. Salmerón insists on the recovery of semi-direct trains, which implies the construction of new overtaking tracks.
The R4 line shows the most notable differences, especially in the section crossing Penedès and Baix Llobregat. For example, the journey between Vilafranca del Penedès and Barcelona Sants, which previously took 53 minutes, now takes no less than 70 minutes. This situation is exacerbated by the undergrounding works in Sant Feliu de Llobregat and those of the Mediterranean Corridor, which affect the fluidity of passenger traffic by prioritizing freight.
