The Generalitat, Catalonia’s government, is formally considering asking the Spanish state to transfer Avant services, the regulated-fare medium-distance trains that use the high-speed network, according to reporting by Ara.

The proposal follows disruption on Rodalies, Catalonia’s commuter rail network, at the start of 2026 after the fatal Gelida accident and damage caused by two storms. For commuters travelling between Lleida, Tarragona or Girona and Barcelona, the plan would not bring an immediate service change, but it responds to heavy demand for an alternative to conventional trains.

Avant services are operated by Renfe and are faster than conventional routes, with fewer delays, but cost more. Ara reports that tickets on early-morning and late-afternoon services have been difficult to obtain for months.

“Either you buy three or four weeks in advance or you do not find any more,” Kevin Bruque, a Lleida passenger and spokesperson for the Usuaris Avant Catalunya platform, told Ara.

The shortage is also reported on the Tarragona and Girona corridors. Passengers can check fares and availability through Renfe’s Avant ticket information page.

Capacity concerns on the Lleida-Barcelona route

Sílvia Paneque, the Catalan minister for Territory, has said the Generalitat is negotiating with Spain’s Ministry of Transport for more Avant frequencies and seats between Lleida and Barcelona. She acknowledged that an October measure which doubled capacity on the 07:05 Avant service from Lleida to Barcelona was insufficient, according to Segre.

  • The Lleida-Barcelona link has 16,240 seats a week across 101 trains.
  • The Toledo-Madrid route has 45,000 weekly seats across 190 trains.
  • A CCOO trade-union proposal cited in the parliamentary debate calls for 15 daily trains and about 45,000 weekly seats between Lleida and Barcelona.

The broader high-speed network proposal was first put forward by CCOO, the Workers’ Commissions trade union, five years ago and revived last November. The union’s plan would link Tortosa and Lleida with Figueres-Vilafant, with stops including Camp de Tarragona, Barcelona and Girona.

Ara reports that both Renfe and the Generalitat have discussed the possibility with the plan’s promoters. The supplied reporting does not set out a date for a formal transfer request or for any new network to begin operating.

Primary sources: renfe.com. Reported by Source Text Link, Natàlia Vila, segre.com, Jordi Oliveres, catalunyadigital.es, diaridetarragona.com, Jesús García Bueno, catalannews.com, EL PAÍS Exprés, Miguel G. Casallo, elconstitucional.es, Ben Pawlowski, ground.news, Ara Cat.