Commuters on Catalonia’s Rodalies rail network can expect significant station improvements. National operator Renfe has announced a €4.8 million investment to upgrade 15 stations in and around Barcelona. The project, scheduled to begin in May 2026, will focus on enhancing accessibility, comfort, and the overall passenger experience.
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This investment forms part of a new national initiative, the ‘A punto’ (On Point) Plan, aiming to deliver rapid and visible enhancements to stations across Spain. Renfe explained on Monday that the plan will “carry out high-impact actions” and “quickly and visibly improve the state of the stations.”
Catalonia’s allocation forms part of a wider €24.8 million national budget for the scheme. Both the Rodalies de Catalunya and Madrid’s Cercanías networks will receive the largest shares, with €4.8 million earmarked for each. This funding comes at a critical time for the local network, which recently faced its ‘worst crisis’ due to widespread speed restrictions.
First Upgrades to Begin in May
The initial project phase, with a budget of €1.26 million, will target five key stations in the Barcelona metropolitan area. Work will start in May 2026 at Vilanova i la Geltrú, the bustling Fabra i Puig station in Barcelona, Sabadell Sud, Sant Celoni, and the popular coastal destination of Sitges.
Reports from 20 Minutos indicate this first phase will primarily focus on upgrading station lobbies and improving lighting. Additionally, specific accessibility works include improvements to the main station access at Sabadell Sud and enhanced platform access at Sant Celoni.
The choice of stations for upgrades considered several factors, including their impact on travellers, the urgency of the work, technical complexity, and the potential for standardised works replicable across different locations.
A Strategy for Visible Change
A second phase of improvements is scheduled for 2027. Stations earmarked for this later stage include Castellbisbal, Martorell Central, Sant Vicenç de Calders, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, and Gavà, among others.
The ‘A punto’ plan prioritises interventions that can be carried out quickly, with moderate investment and low technical complexity. Renfe outlined in its communication that the goal is for passengers to “perceive a significant improvement in quality” in the short term. Improvements will target the infrastructure’s external appearance, as well as interior spaces like lobbies and platforms.
This initiative is among several recent Renfe moves to manage and enhance its services in Catalonia. The operator recently announced it was launching a bus company to handle disruptions from rail works and also increased capacity on key routes by adding more daily seats. The focus on quick, tangible station upgrades appears to be another part of this broader strategy to bolster the commuter experience across the region.
