Catalonia’s embattled commuter rail service, Rodalies de Catalunya, is facing what a veteran union leader has called its “worst crisis” in history. The network is currently hobbled by over 200 temporary speed restrictions, a direct symptom of what experts describe as decades of critical underinvestment that came to a head following a fatal accident earlier this year.

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As of this week, a total of 218 temporary speed limits (known as LTVs) are in place across the network, affecting a staggering 188 kilometres of track, according to a report by Diari Catalunya. While officials have stated the network will be “practically operative” soon with all restrictions lifted by April, the current situation paints a grim picture of a system under immense strain.

A System Derailed by Neglect

The crisis reached a breaking point on January 20, 2026, when a train derailed near Gelida, killing one person and injuring dozens more. A storm caused a container wall to collapse onto the tracks, triggering the incident.

Joan Carles Salmerón, director of the transport research centre Terminus, attributes the Gelida tragedy to “two major deficiencies” in the Catalan railway network. He told Catalan News that a significant 90% of the problem stems from decades of underinvestment. Furthermore, he noted, climate change’s increasing impact and frequent adverse weather conditions are major concerns. The region recently endured extreme weather, including a historic windstorm that caused widespread disruption.

The state-owned company Renfe operates the Rodalies trains, while Adif manages the infrastructure, including tracks and signals. Both companies have faced criticism for the service’s deteriorating state.

Union Action and Safety Guarantees

In an unprecedented move following the accident, train drivers refused to resume service until the entire network had been inspected for safety. According to Francisco Cardenas, a 41-year veteran train driver and UGT trade union spokesperson, the action, which led to a complete shutdown, marked a first in over four decades.

“In my 41 years with the company, I have never seen problems this bad,” Cardenas stated. He explained this was the “only time we’ve had a complete network closure due to infrastructure issues.”

Experts fully supported the drivers’ stance. “Had the service not been stopped, we could have had more fatal accidents,” Salmerón warned, underscoring the severe safety concerns.

The drivers’ protest culminated in a planned three-day strike for early February. However, the action was called off after the first day when, as Cardenas confirmed, safety guarantees were offered. “We’ve set up meetings to monitor what was being done… If that works, it will indicate that progress is being made,” he said, adding, “If investment continues, we’ll assume things are moving forward.”

The Road Ahead: Urgent Investment Needed

Both the union leader and transport expert agree: a massive injection of funds is the only viable solution. Cardenas argues that storms and adverse weather simply expose existing weaknesses. “The same storms passed through many other places, but here is where most incidents and service collapses occur,” he observed.

The level of investment required is substantial. “At the very least, they must invest above average to recover from decades of underinvestment,” Cardenas insisted. He believes this is necessary simply to bring the network up to an acceptable level and achieve a normal, standard commuter rail network.

While some upgrade projects are underway, including the major renovation of the Garraf rail tunnels and Adif’s recent €3.7m contract for upgrades in Figueres, many view these as mere drops in the ocean compared to the systemic overhaul needed.

Despite the dire situation, Salmerón was keen to convey that rail transport remains fundamentally safe. Yet, the crisis has undeniably shaken public confidence, leaving thousands of daily commuters navigating a system plagued by delays and uncertainty. They hope that calls for urgent and sustained investment are finally heeded.