In recent years, residents of Catalonia have increasingly avoided taking Rodalies commuter trains. The reasons include frequent disruptions, outdated infrastructure, and prolonged repairs, all of which complicate daily life and affect passengers’ mental well-being. According to El Pais, since 2018, the number of daily Rodalies users has dropped by almost 43,000 people, and during the height of the latest transportation crisis, ridership fell by another 30%. For many, train journeys have become a source of stress rather than convenience.
Authorities’ plans for modernizing the railway network—Rodalies 2026-2030—include large-scale works on all lines. However, for most residents, this means several more years of inconvenience. While the promised improvements remain only on paper, people are searching for alternatives to avoid unreliable timetables and unexpected delays.
Personal stories of change
Marta Perez from Martorell, who worked in a laboratory in Cerdanyola del Vallès, used to spend up to two and a half hours commuting each day. She tried to move to Barcelona, but high housing prices made it impossible. Eventually, Marta managed to change offices and stop using Rodalies altogether, which quickly improved her mood and well-being. She says that constant delays and stress from commuting had a negative impact on her life—in fact, once she even had to leave a family celebration early to avoid being late for work.
Pau Masmartí from Girona, a journalism student, regularly commuted to Barcelona by AVE, spending nearly as much on tickets as on rent. After a series of delays and growing tired of daily travel, he decided to move closer to the university. The move allowed him to give up exhausting train rides, which were often delayed by 45 minutes, and to return to a normal daily rhythm.
Fears and new routes
Residents of small towns also face serious inconveniences. Xinxuï Serra from Campdevànol stopped using the R3 line after major track doubling works began. Now she takes buses to Barcelona, although the timetables and number of trips leave much to be desired. She admits that train journeys made her anxious, especially in the evenings when there were few passengers in the carriage. Sometimes, she had to ask her parents to pick her up from Vic to avoid unpleasant situations.
Pau López from Montgat, currently an intern at 3Cat, used to take the R1 line but now has to drive. Combined routes with transfers on the R4 could take up to two hours, while driving takes just 25 minutes. He says that constant strikes, breakdowns, and overcrowded carriages have made train travel impossible for those who value their time and peace of mind.
Trends and consequences
The mass exodus from Rodalies highlights a broader issue within Catalonia’s transport system. Despite government promises and modernization plans, public trust in the railway continues to wane. People are opting for buses, private cars, or even moving closer to workplaces and schools to avoid relying on the unpredictable train schedules. As El Pais notes, even after all upgrades are complete, restoring previous passenger levels will be extremely difficult.
A similar situation has occurred in other regions of Spain, where infrastructure problems have led to a widespread shift away from public transport. For instance, after major flooding and evacuations in Grazalema, authorities were forced to invest significant resources in restoring and upgrading the transport network to regain residents’ trust (details on the infrastructure restoration in Grazalema).
In recent years, Spain has seen a rise in cases where residents of large cities and suburbs switch en masse to alternative transport due to disruptions in rail services. Authorities are compelled to address public dissatisfaction by speeding up modernization and introducing new solutions. However, Catalonia’s experience shows that regaining passenger confidence after prolonged crises is extremely challenging, with many preferring not to wait for improvements but instead seeking more reliable ways to get around.
