Catalan National Assembly protests at Barcelona-Sants over 'unsustainable chaos' of Rodalies

Around 500 people protested at Barcelona-Sants train station on Saturday over the "unsustainable chaos" of the Rodalies commuter train network. 

The demonstration was called by grassroots pro-independence group Catalan National Assembly (ANC), with their president, Lluís Llach, criticizing the "colonial treatment from the Spanish metropolis," which he said was "premeditated." 

Llach, a famous singer-songwriter who became leader of the organization last year, said the situation with Rodalies was the result of "Spanish fiscal theft and decades of lack of investment and maintenance." 

The protesters stormed the station lobby with signs bearing slogans such as "Fed up with Renfe," (the state-owned railway company responsible for operating Rodalies), "For the trains we deserve," and "Independence is the only way." 

Llach stressed that with the taxes it pays, Catalonia has "the right to have a good public transport service." 

Complaints 

"Cancelations and delays on the Rodalies network are commonplace, with complaints to the Catalan Ombudsman about the service in the first three months of 2025 double the total number of complaints received in all of 2024. 

Renfe and the Catalan government are to jointly manage Rodalies trains from 2026, following an agreement between pro-independence Esquerra Republicana and Spain's ruling Socialists.