Catalonia railway expansion plan targets double service by 2040, Vila‑Seca intermodal project delayed

The Spanish government unveiled the Railway Services Plan 2030‑2040, aiming to double rail capacity in Catalonia and reach one million daily trips by 2040. Key actions include extending line R1 to Cerdanyola Universitat between 2027‑28, doubling the frequency of R8 and extending it to Vilafranca del Penedès by 2030, and creating a new R88 regional line between Reus and Girona. Implementation will require 182 new trains, 419 drivers and 266 controllers, though a total budget has not yet been fixed.

Meanwhile, the Intermodal station project in Vila‑Seca remains on hold as the required environmental impact report has not been delivered. The Ministry of Transport’s informational study was sent to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, but the environmental impact declaration (DIA) is still pending, pushing the expected start of works to 2026. Local authorities, including mayor Pere Segura, have criticized the delays and urged the state to prioritize the project.