Valls City Council and the Amics del Ferrocarril de Valls i l'Alt Camp · Propera Parada Valls association have rejected Renfe's proposed R-13 regional train services. Both groups say the plan for only four trains per day in each direction is not enough. They also argue the timetables for the line, which connects Valls to Barcelona, do not meet residents' travel needs.
The capital of Alt Camp considers the schedules Renfe plans to implement from 22 November on the R-13 line to be completely insufficient. The City Council and Propera Parada Valls platform are calling for Renfe to change the proposed services, increasing both the number of trains and improving the timetables, before the 22 November start date. They warn that the proposed R-13 time slots do not cover essential periods and are not suitable for people who regularly travel to Barcelona for work or study.
The City Council and the platform also believe that services are not sufficiently reinforced on peak days. This is especially true for Friday afternoons towards Valls and Sunday evenings towards Barcelona, when trains are often crowded, mainly with students.
Forming a Common Front
Valls City Council and Amics del Ferrocarril have been working for weeks to create a common front to demand quality rail service. A meeting will be held in Valls in the coming weeks, bringing together mayors from municipalities along the R-13 line.
This main railway axis connects Lleida with Barcelona and serves the interior of Camp de Tarragona, passing through Vimbodí-Poblet, l'Espluga de Francolí, Montblanc, Vilaverd, la Riba, Picamoixons, Valls, Nulles, Bràfim, Vilabella, Salomó, and Roda de Berà. Additionally, residents from nearby towns also use R-13 trains. For this reason, the councils of Conca de Barberà, Alt Camp, and Tarragonès will also participate in the municipal meeting, representing all municipalities across the three comarques.
Long-Term Investment Demands
The new municipal and citizen platform aims to create a united front. It will immediately demand more trains and, according to its organisers, will also push for medium and long-term investments across the entire R-13 line to ensure efficient and high-quality rail service.
