The restoration of rail service on the Rodalies R4 line between Sant Sadurní d’Anoia and Martorell marks an important development for residents of Catalonia. After nearly three months of disruption caused by an incident near Gelida, thousands of passengers are once again able to reach Barcelona and other cities directly, without transferring to buses. This decision greatly eases daily commutes and helps many locals return to their regular routines.
According to El Pais, reopening this section has re-established direct rail links between Sant Vicenç de Calders and Terrassa. Now, stations including Gelida, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, Lavern-Subirats, La Granada, Vilafranca del Penedès, Els Monjos, L’Arboç, and El Vendrell are once again connected to Barcelona without the need to transfer to a bus. However, full service on the line has not yet been restored: between Terrassa and Manresa, a transfer system remains in place, with part of the journey served by train and the remainder by bus.
Changes on other rail lines
Meanwhile, Rodalies has announced the return of full service on the R1 line, which connects L’Hospitalet de Llobregat and Maçanet-Massanes. Passengers no longer need to transfer to a shuttle train at Blanes, and the timetable between Barcelona and Mataró during peak hours has been increased to eight trains per hour in each direction. Nevertheless, due to an extended infrastructure maintenance schedule, overnight and early morning bus replacement services will continue to operate between Blanes and Maçanet-Massanes from 22:00 to 8:00.
Restrictions remain in place on the R2 sur line due to ongoing works in the Garraf tunnels. Renfe has adjusted the schedule to align with the repairs, aiming to minimize inconvenience for passengers. Additionally, the number of trains between Granollers and Castelldefels on the R2 Nord line has been increased, which should improve transport access to Barcelona and offer greater convenience for those using El Prat de Llobregat as a transfer point.
Restrictions and Challenges
Despite the partial resumption of services, speed limits and technical difficulties persist across many sections of the rail network. On the R3 line, trains are operating only between La Garriga and Ripoll, while the R8 line remains completely closed near Rubí, negatively affecting freight transport. According to El Pais, authorities hope to restore Rodalies to normal operations by the end of April, but for now, the situation remains far from stable.
These changes have impacted not only passenger transport but also the region’s economy. Schedule disruptions and forced transfers lead to extra time and expense for residents and businesses. Analysis by russpain.com highlights that such interruptions in Catalonia’s rail transport are not unprecedented, and each time they spark significant public response.
Context and Recent Developments
In recent years, the railway infrastructure of Catalonia has repeatedly faced challenges due to accidents, technical failures, and major repair works. For example, in 2025, widespread delays on commuter lines led to numerous complaints and media discussions. At the same time, other important initiatives aimed at improving quality of life are underway in the region, such as expanding disease screening programs — learn more about this in the report on new rules for bowel cancer screening in Catalonia: details about the screening expansion in the region. All these developments highlight how crucial a reliable transport system is for the residents and economy of Catalonia.
The restoration of service on key Rodalies sections is only part of a major effort to modernize the railway network. In the coming months, further stages of repairs and infrastructure upgrades are expected, which may again impact schedules and routes. Authorities promise to keep passengers informed of all changes and to respond promptly to any arising issues.
