Spain to hand over €1bn to Catalonia for transfer of Rodalies commuter rail network
Spanish government to pay for Action Plan, Rodalies Lleida and alternative transport
The Spanish government will transfer €1.05 billion to the Catalan government to improve and transfer the control of the Rodalies commuter train network from Spain to Catalonia.
The decision was announced at a press conference after the meeting of the Fiscal and Economic Affairs Mixed Commission between Spain and Catalonia that took place on Monday.
At the press conference Ester Capella, the sitting Catalan territory minister, said that the money transfer will "allow us to start from scratch" and clear the debt accumulated since 2016.
According to Capella, of the total amount transferred, €191,5 million will go to the 2024-2026 Action Plan, which will tackle the increase of trains in the R1 and R4 lines. With the agreement between the two governments, this increase of trains will be an ordinary service taken on by the Spanish government.
The cost of usage between 2024 and 2026, which is €850.3 million, will also be paid by the Spanish government. As well as the train between Lleida and Cervera (€7.4 million) and Lleida and Manresa (€6 million).
In addition, they will also cover the cost of the alternative transport used when there are renovations or incidents in the service.
During the press conference, Capella has also stated that right now the Rodalies commuter trains network "does not cover the citizens' needs nor does it guarantee people's basic right of mobility."
She insisted that if the trains were "on time and accessible", people would use it more. Therefore, she hopes that the transfer of control will help to offer a good service, as well as to make mobility more accessible.
A new company will replace Renfe, the Spanish public rail company, by a new mixed company managed between the two governments. Capella also informed that the meetings about the new company are "progressing at a good rhythm".
In parallel to the announcement of the transfer of Rodalies, during Monday's meeting both governments agreed to transfer €150 million to the Catalan government for a research fund.
Natàlia Mas Guix, the Catalan sitting economy minister, said that this agreement is a "step forward in many Catalan research projects."
In addition, €2 million will be transferred to Catalonia yearly for the university scholarships and Spain will pay the amount of the past three academic years that has been delayed.