Public transport advocacy groups have criticised the upcoming R-Aeroport train line, warning it will worsen congestion and reliability for existing Rodalies users in Barcelona. Activists from Promoció del Transport Públic (PTP) gathered at Passeig de Gràcia station, a key city transport hub, to voice their concerns about the new service, expected to start next year.
The new line will connect Barcelona city centre to El Prat Airport's T1 and T2 terminals. It will add four trains per hour to the already saturated Aragó street railway tunnel, located within the densely populated Eixample district. This increase will compromise the reliability and punctuality of services like the R2 Nord and R2 Sud. Regional services travelling between Figueres and Tortosa will also face significant disruption.
A statement from PTP highlighted the "structural saturation" of Catalonia's railway system, especially in Barcelona's tunnels. The group stated, "This directly impacts users of the R2 Nord, R2 Sud lines and Regional services that cross this corridor, from Figueres to Tortosa, further compromising service reliability and punctuality." PTP also called it "vergonzoso" (shameful) that this is the only Rodalies expansion in recent decades.
Concerns Over Network Saturation
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) will manage the R-Aeroport line. It will operate on existing Adif infrastructure within the Rodalies network. The line will run every fifteen minutes, aiming to serve airport passengers. PTP argues that the airport already has good connections for travellers. Rodalies currently reaches T2, and both metro and bus services also serve the airport terminals. The advocacy groups consider the €400 million investment unnecessary given these existing options.
Impact on Daily Commuters
The Aragó street tunnel is a critical artery for Barcelona's commuter rail network. It serves a densely populated area, including the Eixample district, home to over 260,000 residents. The added trains will increase the system's fragility. Any single incident could affect the entire railway network, causing widespread delays. PTP characterises the R-Aeroport as primarily a "line for tourism." They believe it will further disadvantage daily Rodalies users who rely on the network for work and essential travel.
Calls for Project Reformulation
The groups gathered at Passeig de Gràcia, a major transport hub and popular area for both residents and tourists. They demand that the Generalitat urgently reformulate the project. They call for a global network vision for Catalonia's rail system. They also insist that new trains should reinforce existing conventional services. These services should meet the real mobility needs of residents across the region. Additionally, PTP urges the Catalan government to abandon plans for El Prat airport expansion, citing environmental and social concerns.
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Originally published by El Nacional. Read original article.
