BarcelonaThere is already a date for double composition trains to start running on line R1, which connects Molins de Rei and Maçanet-Massanes stations. On December 15, trains of 200 meters will begin to pass through the oldest line in the State after Renfe has declared the completion of the works at the Arc de Triomf station. The extension of the platform is a turning point so that 200 meter trains can run, as Arc de Triomf was the only point on the entire line where long trains could not access. From mid-December, the capacity of the R1 line will improve, as the change will allow a greater absorption of demand.
The Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano; the secretary of Mobility and Infrastructure of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Manel Nadal, and the president of Renfe, Raül Blanco, visited the Arc de Triomf station, where around 21,000 people pass every day.
With a budget of more than 2,800,000 euros, the facilities have been improved so that there is a “positive impact on the day-to-day lives of the people” who use the line, as explained by Santano. “Sometimes we are not aware that 90% of Renfe users are recurring day-to-day travelers who do not use the high speed, we must be attentive to Rodalies”, added the Secretary of State.
Specifically, the action in this large infrastructure will allow to increase the number of seats on the trains of the R1, R3 and R4 lines of Rodalies. At the moment, however, trains will only be able to start running on the R1, because it is the only one that has the platforms of origin and destination (Hospitalet de Llobregat and Mataró) enabled for trains 200 meters long to stop there.
“It is an exemplary performance, because it is difficult with such a small budget to have such a positive impact, especially in terms of day-to-day, people’s daily mobility”, said Santano. In fact, Blanco has also emphasized that the work has been done without cutting service to the station, which, in his opinion, has added complexity to the project.
Most accessible station
The director of Rodalies de Catalunya, Antonio Carmona, has pointed out that the incorporation of double-composition trains will be done “progressively” and without “damaging” the service on the other lines. He also added that from December 15 it is expected that only “some circulations” will be launched and that it will be done during peak hours. It is expected that at the end of 2025 or at the beginning of 2026 around 100 new trains will arrive with modernized materials. It will be with its arrival that the 200 meter trains will be able to circulate on all the lines of Rodalies.
The works also entail the installation and relocation of a new lift and escalator, as well as the improvement of routes for people with reduced mobility. The Secretary of Transport emphasized that accessibility is “key”, that it is a “right” and that “it must be for all”.
