The new railway plan's primary objective is to reach one million daily journeys by 2040, more than doubling the current 455,000. To achieve this, the aim is for the entire rail offering to function as an integrated network, with clear passenger information and coordinated fares and schedules.
The Minister of Territori, Sílvia Paneque, presented this plan, which seeks to reverse the current crisis in Rodalies (commuter rail) and restore user confidence. Key challenges include reducing waiting times, improving punctuality, and integrating the entire public transport network. Three types of services are distinguished: structuring (fast national connections), commuter (daily mobility in the areas of Barcelona, Tarragona, Girona, and Lleida), and suburban (high frequency in dense urban areas).
The new rail offering designed by Territori aims to generate new demand, strengthen territorial balance, and compete with private vehicles. The document details specific improvements for each rail hub and sets deadlines for the actions.
In the Barcelona area, suburban services every 15 minutes and semi-direct trains every 30 minutes are planned to connect the city with towns such as Mataró, Granollers, Sabadell, Terrassa, Castelldefels, Martorell, and Igualada.
In the Tarragona hub, trains every 30 minutes are expected between Sant Vicenç de Calders and Tarragona, more services towards Reus, and the extension of lines RT1 and RT2 to Vilafranca, Valls, and Montblanc.
In Girona, the RG1 line will be reformulated to connect Figueres, Girona, and Maçanet de la Selva, with branches towards Blanes and Sant Celoni, and 30-minute frequencies coordinated with the R11.
In Lleida, a new line (RL5) will be created to Montsó and Zaragoza, and lines operated by FGC will be strengthened.
The plan also includes innovations in Regional services, aiming to connect the country's main cities with competitive travel times. The projected line configuration for 2040 includes new connections such as the MD Lleida-Barcelona-Figueres (high-speed), R33 Barcelona-La Tor de Querol, R88 Reus-Girona, and cross-border services to Aragón, the Valencian Community, and Northern Catalonia.
The plan will be rolled out progressively, requiring 182 new trains, 419 drivers, and 266 conductors, while increasing the kilometers covered to 27.8 million. Minister Paneque stated, "It is possible, but it is neither free nor automatic."
Planned actions include improvements to the R1 line to the UAB, RT2 to Vilafranca, and the new R-Aeroport by 2027-2028. By 2030, frequencies are set to double on the R8 and RG1, and the Reus-Girona line will be created. In 2035, frequencies will increase on many regional lines, and by 2040, the plan will be completed with new semi-direct and cross-border services.
