Catalonia's Territory Minister, Sílvia Paneque, outlined the Catalan government's plans to improve the R-15 and R-16 railway lines in Terres de l'Ebre during a parliamentary session on Tuesday.
Responding to a question from Republican MP Albert Salvadó, Ms Paneque highlighted an earlier Avant service between Tortosa and Barcelona. She also noted the integration of fares with Camp de Tarragona, stating the executive's intention to reverse existing structural deficits, which she said could not be attributed solely to the current mandate.
Ms Paneque confirmed that the section between Riba-roja d'Ebre and Reus has seen a significant increase in temporary speed restrictions following a recent storm. Currently, alternative transport services using buses are in place. Normal service on this part of the R-15 is expected to resume progressively, with the section up to Móra la Nova anticipated by early May and the full line to Riba-roja by the end of May. Ms Paneque said this situation showed the poor maintenance conditions of the line.
Addressing Infrastructure Deficits
Beyond temporary speed restrictions, future repairs are needed in the tunnels between Riba-roja and Reus to ensure safety, Ms Paneque added. She admitted there has been a lack of infrastructure updates for decades. As a result, in addition to urgent works, other planned interventions are necessary, including the rehabilitation of tunnels between Ascó and Capçanes, improvements to viaducts between Pradell and Reus, work on the Guiamets tunnel, and actions on the trenches between Flix and Ascó.
The full schedule for these works, and their impact on services, is still being finalised. However, Ms Paneque committed to improving communication with local mayors.
Ms Paneque then detailed planned improvements for the Southern Corridor, which she said would be permanent and announced in full in June. The initial phase involves establishing regular timetables. The next step will start when resources currently allocated to the RL3 and RL4 lines in Lleida become available, meaning after Ferrocarrils Catalans begins operating those lines next year.
Future Service Enhancements
With new rolling stock, the R-15 will see an additional service on weekdays, with more services planned for holidays. Similarly, the R-16 will coordinate connections at l'Aldea with Valencia services. Looking further ahead, Ms Paneque announced changes to frequencies.
The R-15 is expected to have a train every hour in each direction during peak times between Reus and Riba-roja, and a train every half hour in each direction between Reus and Barcelona. For the R-16, which will receive fourteen new variable-gauge units by the end of 2027, there will be a train every hour in each direction and more Avant services between Tortosa and Barcelona. This is currently not possible due to infrastructure and rolling stock limitations, as 30% of current railway system anomalies across Catalonia are due to poor rolling stock condition.
Ms Paneque also mentioned the possibility of reintroducing semi-direct services on the R-16 and introducing them on the R-15. She also plans to implement a new Rodalia line between Tarragona and Castelló de la Plana, with a train every two hours in each direction during peak times.
