Commuters travelling to Barcelona on medium-distance high-speed trains will soon have more seating options, as national rail operator Renfe has announced a major capacity increase on its popular Avant services. Starting 9th March, an additional 1,134 seats will be available daily from Monday to Friday on the key corridor connecting the Catalan capital with Lleida and Tarragona.

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The move represents a significant 50% boost in the current weekday offering, according to a statement from the company reported by Metrópoli Abierta. This expansion aims to alleviate growing demand on one of the region’s most utilised routes, heavily frequented by workers and students who make the daily journey into Barcelona.

New Trains to Serve Peak Hours

Renfe is achieving this capacity increase by introducing new, larger rolling stock. The operator will deploy its modern Serie 106 high-speed trains on the route. These trains, also known as Avril, boast a total capacity of 581 seats per journey, a substantial upgrade from the Serie 120 trains previously in service on this line.

The company highlighted that the Serie 106 models offer improved accessibility for all travellers and are more energy-efficient. To maximise its impact, Renfe will concentrate the additional seats on services during peak commuting hours. The changes are as follows:

  • The 07:05 service from Lleida Pirineus to Barcelona Sants will gain 105 additional seats.
  • The 19:23 service from Lleida Pirineus to Barcelona Sants will see a major increase of 343 seats.
  • The 18:05 return service from Barcelona Sants to Lleida Pirineus will add 343 seats.
  • The 21:30 evening service from Barcelona Sants to Lleida Pirineus will also be reinforced with 343 extra seats.

Reinforcing a Vital Commuter Corridor

The Avant service has established itself as a fast and reliable alternative for daily travel between Catalonia’s provincial capitals. This investment underscores the route’s importance for regional mobility and Renfe’s strategy to meet passenger demand. This follows other recent capacity increases, such as the 22,500 daily AVE seats offered for the Mobile World Congress, demonstrating Renfe’s focus on reinforcing high-demand services.

While this expansion benefits the Avant line, other parts of Catalonia’s rail network face challenges. For instance, due to ongoing disruptions, the Generalitat de Catalunya recently extended its policy of free travel on the Rodalies commuter network. Furthermore, in response to some of these issues, Renfe has even planned to launch a bus company to cover services affected by extensive rail works, highlighting the region’s complex transport landscape.

By upgrading its rolling stock and adding over a thousand daily seats, Renfe aims to improve ticket availability. This also provides a more comfortable journey for the thousands of passengers who rely on the Avant service for their daily commute from stations like Lleida Pirineus and Camp de Tarragona to the central hub of Barcelona Sants.