On Friday in Barcelona, a key document was signed that launches the process of creating Rodalies de Catalunya—a joint venture in which Renfe and the Catalan government (Generalitat) will work side by side. This company will assume responsibility for managing commuter and regional rail services, but only after 2027. Until then, a long process of agreements, obtaining licenses, and implementing new safety standards lies ahead.
The signing ceremony itself was low-key but imbued with a sense of its historical significance. For the first time in decades, the region will have a real mechanism to influence the quality of rail transport. However, as Territorial Development Minister Sílvia Paneque emphasized, immediate improvements should not be expected. She stated openly: “We promise no miracles.”
Structure and management
The new company will be divided almost equally: Renfe will retain 50.1% of the shares, while 49.9% will belong to the Generalitat. The company’s initial capital will amount to two million euros, with each party contributing one million. Sílvia Paneque has been appointed chair of the board of directors, and Òscar Playà, the former head of Barcelona’s metro, will become CEO.
The board of directors includes representatives from both sides. From Renfe, there are top managers responsible for finance, operations, and technical maintenance, as well as a representative from the UGT union. The Generalitat delegated its key infrastructure and mobility specialists, along with former officials who previously oversaw transport reforms in the region.
First steps
Immediately after the notarial formalities, the board of directors held its first meeting. On the agenda was the formation of a working group to prepare for the transfer of authority and develop a strategic development plan. In the coming months, details of the future work will need to be coordinated so that by 2027 the company will be fully capable of managing Cataluña’s railway network.
In her speech, Paneke emphasized that the main task now is to build an effective management system and establish communication with passengers. She pointed out that Rodalies lines face daily disruptions, and the new structure’s goal is not only to respond to them but also to prevent their occurrence. “We’re not offering slogans or promising quick results. We are creating a new management model,” she stressed.
Expectations versus reality
Despite bold declarations about the dawn of a new era, most passengers are unlikely to notice any changes in the coming years. The Rodalies system has long been criticized for frequent delays, technical failures, and outdated infrastructure. The new management format is more of a foundation for the future than a solution to today’s problems.
Nevertheless, the very creation of the joint venture can already be seen as a step forward. The Catalan authorities have long sought greater autonomy in the transport sector, and now they have an opportunity to implement their own approaches to organizing transportation. However, as experience in other regions has shown, such reforms rarely lead to immediate results.
Plans for the Future
Over the next two years, the company will focus on obtaining all the necessary permits and licenses. Only after that will Rodalies de Catalunya be officially able to take charge of rail transport operations. Until then, Renfe will remain responsible for the service, and passengers will have to be patient.
Authorities promise that the new structure will enable faster response to incidents, better passenger information, and increased transparency. But for now, these are just plans on paper. What lies ahead are years of painstaking work, negotiations, and possibly new conflicts between Madrid and Barcelona.
Still, the very emergence of Rodalies de Catalunya has already become a symbol of change. Catalonia is betting on its own resources, and much will now depend on how effectively the new company can achieve its ambitious goals. All that’s left is to watch how this story unfolds—and wait for the first real changes to reach passengers.
