Catalonia’s Minister for Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition, Sílvia Paneque, has ruled out expanding the regional bus fleet by 800 vehicles to prevent passengers from standing, as reported by Laciutat.
Paneque told Laciutat on Thursday 5th November 2026 that increasing the current fleet of around 1,500 buses by 800 “is a very significant figure” and is not a government objective.
The minister stressed that the priority is compliance with European regulations, which permit standing passengers on interurban buses but cap speeds at 80 km/h when doing so, even on high-capacity roads. She confirmed the rule is being enforced across Catalonia.
We are focusing on improving frequencies and capacity so no one is left at the stop, especially between 6 and 9 a.m., where we still see shortcomings in high-mobility corridors.
Paneque added that €21 million has been invested in recent months to enhance services across the region, with 80% of improvements already underway. The focus remains on increasing capacity and frequency during morning peak hours.
What it means for commuters: Passengers on busy Rodalies and interurban routes should expect continued standing during peak times. No new buses are planned to eliminate this, but service frequency upgrades are ongoing. For updates on specific line improvements, check the Department of Mobility’s official portal.
Sources: Laciutat.
