BarcelonaFor 24 years he has been the person who answers the phone when there is a problem in Rodalies. Antonio Carmona has made a career within Renfe, first as head of press and now as director of Rodalies. “We want to give the best possible service; and when something happens, we suffer,” he says. Carmona premieres the post just when the network is up and running, with more works than ever and alternative plans for historic roads; with the transfer in sight and users who do not give in demanding improvements.
There is a mantra that we have been hearing for months from both the ministry and Renfe: “More investments are being made than ever”.
– Totally. The investment being made in Rodalies de Catalunya is historic. Investments that respond to the needs to improve the infrastructure, incorporation of rolling stock, new trains… and reflect the commitment of Renfe, Adif and the ministry for the Regions of Catalonia.
But users are suffering a lot from these simultaneous works. Do you understand that there are complaints and also a point of disbelief that things will get better?
— It is that these works, this investment, is what was not done between 2012 and 2019 and had to be done now all of a sudden. That is why there is a coincidence of works. And when you carry out works, reschedule services and affect or alter people’s mobility, as is happening now in Roda de Berà, the system is stressed and has less capacity to recover from any incident.
All this coincidence of works has led to the postponement once again of the schedule for the splitting of the R3, which is a work claimed already historically. Do you understand user anger?
— The important thing is that steps are being taken. We have the entire section between Montcada and Vic underway, with studies, tenders, awards or works already underway. The first phase of the works began last year and will continue when the work on Roda de Berà is finished, that is to say, around March next year. And all with his alternative plan. I think you need to have confidence because from 2020 until now we are showing the traveler that we are doing a lot of work. Promises are shown by deeds, and deeds are being fulfilled.
And when will the user begin to notice the improvements?
— Improvements will be seen as the works are completed. When the works on the Roda de Berà tunnel are finished, with which Adif is also taking advantage to carry out works on the tunnel and also on the station of Altafulla, Torredembarra, at the northern end of Tarragona and Sant Vicenç, we will be able to reconfigure the service of the southern regionals, giving a better, faster and more reliable offer.
But what term are we talking about? One, two years, 2030?
— I believe that part of the works will coincide with the progressive incorporation of the new trains in Rodalies. What can we say, a couple of years? Then there will still be works, but we will already have the south reconfigured and we will start receiving the new trains. The works to connect the new airport terminal will also be done.
Two years, therefore.
– Yes. Two years to start seeing obvious improvements in service. Although improvements are already happening! But obviousin terms of new trains, finishing works, leaving certain journeys clean and reconfiguring the offer, that would be it.
There are many users who also complain that, in some trains, they go like tins of sardines. Is there any way to improve this?
— Yes, the arrival of new trains will lead to an increase in the fleet that will allow doubling of R1, R2, R4 and R3 trains; the main lines of Rodalies de Barcelona. The new trains will offer double the number of seats, from 900 per train to 1,800.
And when do these trains arrive?
At the end of next year or at the beginning of 2026.
“The arrival of new trains will lead to an increase in the fleet that will allow trains and places to be doubled on R1, R2, R4 and R3″”
Earlier we were talking about works to be completed: one of them is the connection with El Prat airport, the R-Aeroport, which will be operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat. When the Socialists were in opposition they seemed more in favor of Renfe operating it, but once in the Government they have made the project their own and keep the order to FGC.
— Yes, because you will not give up the purchase of 10 new trains; you will not give up on making a global improvement of the service and getting the most out of a new double-track infrastructure that connects the airport with the entire area of Rodalies de Barcelona. What is important is that 10 new trains have now been purchased, adding to the more than seven that we will also incorporate. And what is being worked on and must be worked on now is how we fit it in and what is the best service to provide at the airport.
Let’s talk about the vandalism suffered by Renfe. You always point it out and have gone so far as to express that you feel “powerless”. what are they doing there
— We are working with the Generalitat, within the Endreça plan, on different points of improvement and one of them is security in a coordinated manner with the Mossos. The data are what they are: 50% of the vandal attacks that occur on the railway network throughout the State are in Catalonia. We are talking about graffiti, stoning, attacks against people… The most important thing is to know where to focus and to work hand in hand with Mossos, Adif and Territory to take the necessary measures.
According to the ATM, Renfe is the only public transport operator in which demand has fallen this past year. To what do you attribute this fall?
— The act of vandalism [un robatori massiu de coure] that there was on May 12 in Montcada and that it meant a break in the entire supply of R4 and R3 for a month and more. Until then we were in practically historic numbers and the trend was to reach the figures of 2006, which are the highest in terms of travelers.
Demand falls even with free tickets. Has it been difficult for Renfe to recover from this episode?
— Losing trust is easy, regaining it always costs more.
Speaking of big incidents, that big blackout that left Catalonia without trains September 2022, was it fully fixed? Can you guarantee it won’t happen again?
— Palliative measures have been taken. In important incidents what usually happens is that there is a concatenation of circumstances. The important thing is to analyze and take measures to minimize it happening again. And, if incidents occur, we must make the effort to report better. We must continue to improve the information from the moment the traveler thinks of us to the end. I had a colleague, who is now retired, who always told me that the traveler must know that he is always accompanied. And the best way to prove it is with this information when something happens. Inform, inform, inform, inform… We must improve the quantity and quality of explanations.
“50% of the vandal attacks that occur on the railway network throughout the State are in Catalonia””
And what about Renfe’s Barcelona-Paris, when will it arrive?
— We are now traveling to Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse. And we want to operate with the Talgo 106 between Lyon and Paris. Here in Spain companies have found all the facilities to be able to operate. In France, we should ask the French regulators why there are so many complications.
His mandate begins in the spring with a change of interlocutor in the Generalitat. From the outside, you can see a different climate between the Government and Renfe. How is the current relationship with the Government?
– Very positive. We are working together. An example is the Endreça plan that I mentioned. Another is how they wanted to be by our side when they had to explain the work of Roda de Berà and the alteration it meant for travelers. It used to be a different situation, it’s past time and I won’t go into assessing it. Now the relationship that exists is to build and improve.
And is this new climate what makes the transfer that seemed impossible now at hand?
— Well, this was already discussed before, there was a political agreement and negotiations are moving forward. And the milestones that are being discussed are feasible and achievable.
And will the transfer of Rodalies help everything work better?
— Everything helps: the sensibility of the current Government, which feels its Neighborhoods and cares about them; the works being done there, the incorporation of the new trains. All are items that add up.
“The relationship with the Government used to be different and I will not go into assessing it. Now the relationship that exists is to build and improve”
With the DANA it has been shown that there are many infrastructures at risk, built in flood zones. The clearest example is R1: Will we see her passing through the interior one day?
— Here it is the infrastructure experts who must redesign and carry out the necessary actions.
A more personal question. You have been with the company for 24 years, working here in Catalonia in the communication department and now as director. How did you experience the change?
— It’s just that when I speak, I do so with sincerity. I have real belief and confidence in what we say. We want to give the best possible service; and when something happens, we suffer.
And Renfe’s bad reputation, don’t you think it’s deserved? Blame for the lack of investments?
— The lack of investment is obvious, which is why we are now enjoying this historic period of works. But there is also something that Isaías Taboas (former director of Renfe) said: “We are not as bad as they say, nor as good as we would like“.
And what would you say to the traveler who accumulates a lot of indignation with Renfe?
— To believe in us. That we work to provide the service you have contracted with us and that our commitment is that, if we do not do so, we will look for mobility solutions; we will give you the information. And that must be our goal. Telling a traveler “You will travel 200 times with us and never suffer” would be a lie. But it would be a lie for any means of transport.
