New Rodalies company to be part of Renfe but led by Catalan government

The transfer of management of the Rodalies commuter train network from the Spanish government to the Catalan government has taken a significant step forward.

On Thursday, the Catalan government, the pro-independence party Esquerra Republicana, and the state-owned rail operator Renfe reached an agreement to establish a new operating company.

The joint company, Rodalies de Catalunya, will initially be established within Renfe.

It will have an initial share capital of €2 million, with headquarters in Barcelona.

Renfe will hold 50.1% of the shares, and the Catalan government will hold 49.9%.

The board of directors will consist of five representatives from the Catalan government and four from Renfe.

The new company is expected to be formally registered in December 2025 and begin operations in January 2026. Renfe will first pass the creation of such a company next week, before the Spanish and Catalan governments can greenlight taking part in the project. Officials expect the process to be concluded by the end of July.

Catalan Minister of Territory, Sílvia Paneque, and Spain’s Secretary of State for Transport, José Antonio Santano, jointly presented the agreement.

When asked during the press conference if there would be any changes in the company's management and ownership, both said that it is "not a topic" that "worries them." "It is a very well-thought-out and analyzed agreement," Santano added.

"Renfe workers have all judicial and labor guarantees," Paneque continued. The Catalan pro-independence Esquerra Republicana party had first suggested a two-year deadline for the full company transfer and for the Catalan government to have 100% of the company.

The new company will be "led" by Catalonia, which will have an "indisputable" position. The presidency of the management board will be elected among one of the five representatives named by the Catalan government.

One of the four members from Renfe will be ceded to labor union representatives, with the goal of "more communication."

Esquerra Republicana spokesperson Ester Capella welcomed the announcement as it is an "irreversible" decision, and she does not doubt that the agreement will move forward.

ERC negotiated with the Spanish Socialists to fully transfer the Rodalies network to the Catalan government in exchange for their support to re-elect Pedro Sánchez as Spanish PM in November 2023.