An analysis of the current situation
Catalonia is in a worrying position when it comes to investments in railway infrastructure, taking fifth place in the ranking of autonomous communities with less resources executed between 2015 and 2022. The data of the Ministry of Finance reveal that, despite having the largest amount of funds for the improvement of the railway network, only 31.5% of the more than 6,000 million euros has been materialized, a notably lower than the national average of 41%.
Breakdown of investments by entities
The data provided by RENFE indicates a significant decrease in the execution of the projects. The commuter operator, which had a considerable budget item, only reached 42.2% compliance, almost 10 points below the state average of 53.1%. Comparing with Madrid, who exceeded 67%, investment in Catalonia does not reach half of what should have been.
As for Adif, which manages the conventional network, the execution of the funds has remained by 31.5%, which, despite being the highest among the autonomous communities, is far from expectations. Catalonia has received about 838 million euros, a figure that slightly exceeds Madrid (30.2%) and Andalusia (31.2%), but does not reach the state average of 35.4%.
Adif-high-speed and alternative delays
With regard to the high-speed network, Adif-Alta Veoci has also presented a performance below expectations. With a Spanish average of 41.2%, Catalonia has executed only 35.5% of the expected 830 million euros. This situation has adversely struck the expansion of the high -speed network, while other regions such as Castile and León or Galicia have advanced faster in this regard.
The need to improve competitiveness
This scarcity of investments highlights a lag between the high expectations of improving the railway infrastructure in Catalonia and the reality of execution. Experts in the field of infrastructure indicate that the lack of efficiency in project management has limited railway development, affecting both the commuter service and high -speed connectivity.
Investigation insufficiency can have significant repercussions for the Catalan economy, as a modern rail system is essential for improving mobility, reducing CO₂ emissions and increasing productivity. The citizens of Catalonia anxiety with the modernization of their railway network, but the current results indicate that the resources are not optimally used.
A future full of unknowns
With future legislatures on the horizon, the uncertainty about the investments that will come is palpable. Activists and professionals in the infrastructure sector criticize that, despite its importance for the national economy, Catalonia continues to see how its railway needs are relegated. Regional governments insist on the importance of ensuring a more efficient use of available funds to make the train a truly competitive and sustainable transport option.