The Generalitat can fine Renfe for delays in Rodalies

The Generalitat can impose fines of up to 5 million euros on Renfe each year if Rodalies continues to be late. The programme contract still needs to go through a joint commission before it comes into effect.

The Generalitat can fine Renfe up to 5 million euros a year if the Rodalies trains continue to accumulate delays. The programme contract formalised by the Govern and Renfe Viajeros yesterday includes this provision, according to Segre.

The document sets the economic and service conditions for the Rodalies and Regional railways until 2028. It comes after 15 years of waiting since the partial transfer of Rodalies to Catalunya, and it anticipates a budget of 1.407.6 million euros over three years.

For the reader in Lleida, the agreement includes the operations of the coastal lines in the province. The Manresa line will be excluded from the agreement when Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya takes over the service from 1 March 2027.

The contract requires Renfe to activate Alternative Transport Plans by road when the disruption exceeds 90 minutes. It also requires them to keep users and the Generalitat informed, and anticipates the purchase of 110 new trains.

Before it becomes fully effective, the text must go through the Joint Commission for Economic and Fiscal Affairs State-Generalitat. The Govern expects to complete this process before the general elections, so until then the fines do not have effective contractual grounds.

In parallel, Renfe awarded Siemens the contract for the purchase of 30 high-speed Velaro Novo trains, with an option for 10 more, for 1.218 million euros. The trains will reach speeds of 350 km/h and offer 520 seats per train, with the first five units to be delivered within a maximum of 40 months.