Renfe spends €11.6m on dealing with graffiti on Rodalies trains in Catalonia in 2023, nearly €32,000 a day

Spain's public train operator Renfe put the cost of graffiti vandalism on Rodalies commuter trains in Catalonia at €11.6m in 2023, nearly €32,000 per day. 

In addition to cleaning, the figure includes indirect costs such as investment in security, including personnel and CCTV. 

Catalonia accounted for almost 50% of the total acts of vandalism in Spain in 2023, with 2,340 incidents reported, an average of more than six per day, according to Renfe. 

"Last year, 7,500 hours of labor were needed to clean up graffiti on trains," a statement said. 

The company pointed out that train users suffer the consequences of vandalized trains, including delays and canceled trains due to graffiti impeding drivers' visibility or graffiti on safety elements that prevent trains running.