Catalonia seeks to secure Rodalies rail agreements before November election

Catalonia’s government is trying to secure rail agreements before the November 29 election.

The plans concern Rodalies commuter trains in Catalonia and involve the regional government, Spain’s central government and rail operator Renfe.

An early general election has left several other agreements awaiting parliamentary approval, and the Catalan government wants to advance rail measures that do not depend on that approval.

The government’s priority is a contract with Renfe setting out each side’s responsibilities and providing 1.4 billion euros over three years to cover operating costs.

It also wants to transfer the R1 line to Catalonia; officials have prepared and sent the required asset and financial inventory to Spain’s Transport Ministry.

The R1 transfer and Renfe contract still need approval from both governments.

A separate Rodalies investment plan includes 1.8 billion euros in investment scheduled for this year, which is already being carried out, though a future Spanish government could change the pace or suspend it.