Commitment to sustainable mobility
Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) has shown firm support for the ProVegueria Penedès Association, claiming the urgent need for the Transversal Rail Axis as an essential solution to improve mobility in the region.
Actions at local and regional level
Recently, at the gates of Vilafranca train station, the municipal representatives of the 24 towns where ERC has a presence have resolutely defended this project, with the aim of presenting motions both to the town councils and to the Regional Council of Alt Penedès .
Current status of the railway service
ERC members have pointed out that the railway network in the region is in an alarming situation, with regular delays and a notable decrease in the quality of the service, which means that journeys to Barcelona are longer than by private vehicle.
Claims for better financing
According to the republicans, the root of the problem lies in the underfunding that Catalonia suffers from on the part of the Spanish State. Specifically, only 19% of the planned investments were implemented in 2021, a fact that makes it difficult to improve railway services.
Works that do not benefit travelers
Pere Sàbat, spokesman for ERC in Vilafranca, has expressed his concern that the ongoing works on the R4 line are only aimed at facilitating the passage of freight trains, without taking into account the need to improve passenger traffic .
Benefits of the Transversal Rail Axis
The ERC proposal for the Transversal Rail Axis not only seeks to improve mobility, but also aims to decongest the metropolitan area of Barcelona and boost European-wide freight transport.
Positive environmental impact
Sònia Jansà, mayor of Sant Martí Sarroca, has highlighted that this infrastructure would contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions and road traffic, thus promoting a more sustainable transport model.
Short term proposals
In addition to the Axis, Jansà has urged the implementation of immediate measures to improve connectivity, such as increasing the frequency of trains to Barcelona and Tarragona, as well as establishing more direct services from the Penedès.
Motions for change
In order to promote these initiatives, ERC will present a motion to the 24 municipalities of the region, with the intention of demanding from the Spanish State the immediate execution of the Transversal Railway Axis, according to the 2010 Urban Master Plan.
The motion will also request the Generalitat to collaborate actively to integrate this project as a priority within the Territorial Plan of the Penedès, with the aim of improving the quality of life of its inhabitants.