Spanish minister acknowledges Catalonia’s is most deteriorated commuter train network

The Spanish transport minister, Óscar Puente, has acknowledged that the Catalan Rodalies commuter train network is "clearly" the most deteriorated infrastructure in the country. Puente also said that the system has received the "worst treatment" from authorities regarding management.

The Socialist addressed the Rodalies situation during a speech in Spain's Congress on Thursday, where he defended the current cabinet's investment in the network.

Puente pointed out that the Spanish government is complying with its part of the Rodalies transfer deal, which would see management transferred from Spanish to Catalan authorities. The transfer is part of an agreement between pro-independence Esquerra Republicana and the Socialist Party to re-elect Pedro Sánchez as Spanish PM.

"This is a process that requires coordination, and I believe we have been and we are fulfilling our part of the deal," Puente told MPs during his speech.

The transport minister said that the improvements in the Rodalies service will not be noticeable until all investments are completed and the new trains arrive, starting in early 2026. He also pointed out that local management would improve the system.

"We are investing all that we can right now without affecting even further the already precarious Rodalies service," Puente said.

MPs of pro-independence parties, Junts and Esquerra, were critical of Spain’s handling of Catalonia’s commuter rail system.

Rodalies has suffered "an investment punishment," according to Junts' Isidre Gavin, while Esquerra's Inés Granollers congratulated Puente for "being the first" to recognize the lack of investments.