Catalonia's commuter rail network sees 20% growth in passengers in 2023

Catalonia's commuter rail network, Rodalies, saw a total of 130 million passengers use its services in 2023, a rise of 19.5% compared to the year before. 

This rise is equivalent to 21 million more passengers using the service in the entire year compared with 2022. 

The vast majority of these commuters used to service linking Barcelona, with 120 million in total - the highest such figure for the Catalan capital since 2006, when 122.8 million used the service. 

The data also means that passenger figures exceed those recorded before the pandemic by 1.35 million.

9.8 million passengers used the regional services last year, 21.2% more than in 2022, and above the 9.2 million seen in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic hit.

The regional record high figure is from 2011, with 10.1 million passengers.

Free train tickets

As a means to temper soaring inflation in mid-2022, the Spanish government made all commuter and medium-range trains free for users. 

In addition to helping ease the cost-of-living crisis, authorities also wanted to promote the use of public transport.

The measure is still in effect for the full year 2024, and anyone who wants a free ticket can obtain the pass at Rodalies machines in train stations. 

Paying a €10 deposit will be necessary, but this will automatically be refunded into the same account as the card used to purchase it, or else exchanged for €10 cash at certain train stations if paid for in cash. 

Catalans can travel across the territory using up to 15 different routes operated by Renfe, allowing people to visit Barcelona, several beach towns, mountainous areas, go to the airport, or even travel to some of the other cities in Catalonia or in the neighboring regions of Aragon and Valencia, or even France. 

Rodalies has nine different train lines that can bring users to places such as the southern beaches of Castelldefels, Garraf, Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltrú, and even Calafell, all of them via the R2S line. It does not matter how long the journey takes, as all trips will be free of charge. 

To the north, beaches accessible by train include but are not limited to Sant Adrià de Besos, Badalona, Masnou, Premià de Mar, Arenys de Mar, Canet de Mar, and Blanes. Travelers will have to take the R1 train line in this case, the oldest one built in Catalonia that is currently in danger due to climate change.