Catalonia rail expansion plans could transform regional transport with two new domestic lines and additional high-speed train stops by 2050.
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The ambitious strategy addresses projected population growth that could see Catalonia reach nearly 10 million residents within 25 years.
The regional government has approved a comprehensive railway roadmap containing 13 strategic lines and 63 specific measures.
Furthermore, this forward-thinking approach aims to prepare for an estimated 1.3 billion annual train journeys by mid-century, representing a significant increase from current figures.
Catalonia Rail Expansion Focuses on Territorial Rebalancing
The strategy prioritises maximising network capacity while using railways as a tool for territorial rebalancing. Transport Councillor Sílvia Paneque explained that the plan allows authorities to “look up and think about the structure, investments, rolling stock and new railway axes that Catalonia needs by 2050.”
One key proposal involves reviving the orbital line project, which would connect Mataró and Vilanova i la Geltrú through interior routes. This ambitious initiative would link existing R8 and R4 sections with new connecting segments, enabling travel between Vilanova, Vilafranca del Penedès, Martorell, Terrassa, Sabadell, Granollers and Mataró without passing through Barcelona.
Additionally, the government plans to award a feasibility study for the orbital line project before the end of 2025. The strategy also considers resurrecting the historic Transversal Railway Axis connecting Lleida, Manresa, Vic and Girona, similarly bypassing the Catalan capital.
Meanwhile, the plan emerges against a backdrop of ongoing transport challenges in the region. Recent disruptions on Rodalies services have prompted increased interest in alternative transport options, highlighting the urgent need for railway improvements.
New Stations and Infrastructure Improvements Planned
Among the most notable proposals are three new high-speed train stations at Girona Airport, Reus Airport and Vilafranca del Penedès. The government also aims to negotiate with Madrid’s transport ministry to transfer remaining internal services not yet under regional control, including Avant routes between Lleida, Tarragona, Barcelona, Girona, Figueres and Tortosa.
The strategy additionally addresses the ageing infrastructure and rolling stock that currently plagues Catalonia’s railway network. One innovative solution under consideration involves creating a public company to own rolling stock, which would give the regional government greater authority in managing railway policies and facilitate vehicle standardisation.
This comprehensive Catalonia rail expansion plan represents a significant step toward modernising the region’s transport infrastructure. Consequently, it positions railways as a central component of sustainable mobility for decades to come.
As implementation instruments, the government plans to promote a new formulation of Catalonia’s Railway Law and develop a railway services plan that will define the configuration and operation mode of regional services in the medium and long term.
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