The Catalan government has authorised its publicly-owned rail operator, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), to take over the management of fourteen Rodalies train stations across western Catalonia. This move affects stations on the RL3 and RL4 lines in the Ponent region and marks another step in the gradual transfer of the commuter rail network to regional control.

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Under the updated agreement, FGC, through its subsidiary FGC Rail, will manage all passenger-facing facilities and services at these stations. ADIF, Spain’s state-owned infrastructure administrator, will however retain ownership of the core railway infrastructure, such as tracks and signalling systems. The formal process to cede operational control has now begun, according to a report first published by VilaWeb.

A Shift in Rail Management

This decision is a significant development in the long-standing political effort to transfer full control of the Rodalies de Catalunya network to the Generalitat de Catalunya. For years, frequent delays and underinvestment have frustrated the public, leading to calls for regional management of the service. This latest move follows a wider agreement to fully transfer the service and the creation of a dedicated ADIF team to oversee the transition.

The FGC will assume control of stations along the lines where it is now the sole train operator. The fourteen stations included in the transfer are:

  • Bell-lloc d’Urgell
  • Mollerussa
  • Golmés
  • Castellnou de Seana
  • Bellpuig
  • Anglesola
  • Tàrrega
  • Cervera
  • Sant Guim de Freixenet
  • Sant Martí de Sesgueioles
  • Calaf
  • Seguers–Sant Pere Sallavinera
  • Aguilar de Segarra
  • Rajadell

Upgrades and Expanded Services on the Horizon

The government’s stated goal is to improve the quality of service and bring the facilities up to the modern standards seen on other FGC-managed lines, such as the popular Lleida–La Pobla de Segur route. Commuters can expect a series of significant upgrades, including enhanced security measures, renovated station facilities, and the installation of real-time passenger information systems.

Furthermore, FGC will install new ticket vending machines and carry out comprehensive maintenance on station buildings and other civil works. The updated agreement also includes a notable expansion of services. The RL4 line will now extend to Terrassa, improving connectivity between the Ponent region and the Barcelona metropolitan area.

FGC plans to offer fourteen daily services in each direction between Lleida and Cervera. Five of these will continue on to Terrassa, representing an increase of three daily journeys compared to the current RL3 timetable. The government hopes this increase in frequency and the extended route will make the line more attractive to passengers and bolster rail connections for western Catalonia.

New Trains Pave the Way for Full Operation

An investment in new rolling stock underpins this operational shift. New trains designed for the service are already under construction. According to the government, the first of these new units has arrived at the Pla de Vilanoveta facility in Lleida and is currently undergoing rigorous testing and homologation procedures.

With these new trains, FGC expects to assume full operation of the service on these lines by the end of this year. This move solidifies FGC’s position as the primary railway operator in the Ponent region, as the RL3 and RL4 lines join the RL1 and RL2 (Lleida to Balaguer and La Pobla de Segur), which are already fully managed by the Generalitat.