'Fed up' commuters hold protests across Catalonia against 'poor' rail services

Hundreds of commuter rail users have protested on Saturday in nine different locations across Catalonia against the repeated incidents and disruptions on the train network in recent weeks.

Protestors gathered in front of the train stations in Tarragona, Lleida, Tortosa, Valls, Segur de Calafell, Molins de Rei, Cardedeu, la Garriga, and Figueres at noon.

“We are taking to the streets for a decent rail service, we are fed up with the poor service. Now is the time to make ourselves heard,” the protest manifesto reads.

Commuters want "safety, efficiency, and punctuality" in their trains, after weeks of "railway chaos" seen in the Rodalies commuter rail system.

Demonstrators criticized the "constant delays" of the trains and the lack of investment in railway infrastructure that causes a service "that citizens do not deserve."

The largest gathering was in Tarragona, where some 500 people said “enough” of incidents and disruptions. “We have reached the limit of our patience,” said demonstration organizers Platform for a Dignified Service.

They say that “insecurity, chaos, and delays” have become the norm, and demand that the administrations resolve the “historic lack of investment” without altering the daily lives of passengers.

Around 150 people gathered at Tortosa station, where four commuters read a manifesto denouncing the lack of investments in the service, which they lament will take "many years" to fix.

A hundred people braved the rain in Molins de Rei to demand "decent rail services for everyone." Lluís Carrasco, a member of the Public Transport Promotion Platform (PTP), denounced that in Molins de Rei, "we had works for five years, budgeted at €6.2 million, to theoretically make the station more accessible."

Some 50 people in Lleida to demand a "dignified" rail service. Users of the Avant trains that link the city with Barcelona have demanded more frequent services in the early hours, the ability to travel with the pass on more AVE trains, lower prices, and an end to "delays and lack of information."

In Figueres, another 70 people gathered at noon to protest against "constant delays and lack of investment" in the Catalan and Girona railway network. In addition, they criticize "poor communication" between the infrastructure manager, Adif, and the company that offers the service, Renfe, in letting users know about incidents.

Government promises improvements

Catalan government spokesperson Sílvia Paneque says she "understands the despair" of the commuter rail users which she called the result of years of a lack of investment, but adds that the government will work to "improve information" for travelers.

The territory minister admitted that "it will not be an easy path" and warned there would still be "incidents" until all the planned investments in the railway network are carried out.

In any case, she reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing the issue. "I wish it had been a core priority for previous governments," she said.

Specifically, the Socialist said that the current government is working on two fronts: the works, and improving information for users.

Paneque highlighted that at the moment there are 183 investments planned by Adif by 2027.

Until these works are carried out and completed, the executive will work to "improve information so that users have a clear understanding of what alternatives they have."

Transfer of Rodalies

The railway chaos and recent disruptions and strikes have come at a time of labor conflict in the companies Renfe and Adif, over the transfer of Rodalies to the Catalan government.

Over the past week, some major strikes were called off, with the backing of a majority of unions, but without consensus from CGT, SF and Alternativa Ferroviària, who have opted to maintain some demonstrations.

The main point of contention is the transfer of Rodalies to the Catalan authorities and the maintenance of current working conditions in the new operator.

24-hour stoppages are expected, called for by the minority trade unions, for March 26 and April 1.