Catalonia has started the design phase for the future Tram Bages line, a planned rail link between Manresa and Santpedor. Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) announced on Monday the tender for an informative study that will define the route and the number of stops for the R5 line extension.
The line is planned to run from Manresa Alta station to Santpedor, via Manresa's Technology Park. It would use an existing freight railway corridor, parts of which are currently disused. Officials presented the project in Santpedor, next to the railway line.
Manel Nadal, Secretary for Mobility and Infrastructure, and Carles Ruiz, FGC director, led the presentation. They were joined by the mayors of the affected municipalities, Agustí Comas of Santpedor, Marc Aloi of Manresa, and Joan Carles Batanés of Sant Fruitós de Bages, along with other local authorities.
The project is intended to improve public transport links in the Bages region. FGC says the use of an existing freight corridor could help reduce construction time and costs. The line is also expected to offer a direct rail connection between Manresa, a key regional centre, and Santpedor.
The informative study will also examine environmental impacts and community benefits. Residents in both towns have long called for better transport options, and the new line is expected to ease road congestion and provide a more sustainable travel alternative.
Next, the bids for the informative study will be assessed. Once awarded, the study will set out proposals for the route, station locations and operational details, which will inform later decisions on funding and construction timelines for Tram Bages.
For more Catalonia transport updates, see our news coverage.
