COMPONENT I PRIORITIZES INVESTMENTS IN THE COMMUTER RAIL NETWORK OF 2,916 MILLION EUROS TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS OF MORE THAN 50,000 INHABITANTS IN ORDER TO TURN THEM INTO LOW-EMISSION ZONES.
One of the priorities of component I of the Plan are the “Actions to improve the quality and reliability in the commuter rail service”. The objective is to maximize the use of this collective transport through projects that result in the improvement of aspects such as its capacity and the quality and reliability of the service.
This network is called to play a significant role in metropolitan mobility, since this is a fully electrified zero-emission mode of transport which has an average of more than 400 million passengers each year in Spain. Given its great relevance, it accounts for 89% of al railway users. Historical investments are detailed in the component which exceed those made during the last 20 years.
The actions will focus on five priority lines. Firstly, work will be done to improve punctuality, reliability, and real-time information systems, so that users have an optimal perception of the quality of the service and choose commuter trains on their travels as opposed to their private vehicles. In addition, the available resources will be invested in expanding the use of this network to more people in all territories, making their infrastructures accessible to all types of users and implementing the latest technologies available. Likewise, a prioritization of resources will be carried out in order to start on the lines with the highest traffic and on those other actions that have a greater social return.
FUNDS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE (ADIF)
The investments planned for the national commuter network in order to promote its greater use compared to other modes of transport are divided into several lines of action. On the one hand, 1,502 million euros have been reserved for the Railway Infrastructure Manager (Adif). These funds will be used to improve the various subsystems, including stations. The planned works will be undertaken in nine hubs: Andalusia, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Cantabria, Catalonia, Valencian Community, Galicia, Madrid, and the Basque Country.
Once all the projects financed by these grants have been implemented, actions will have been carried out on 60 stations and 700 kilometres of railway lines.95% of the projects foresee an improvement of the electrified lines, while the other 5% – about 55 million euros – will be allocated to the electrification of the section of Valencia commuter train (Buñol-Utiel) with the renewal of the track necessary for this purpose. In addition, it is planned to carry out a tramway connection in Palma de Mallorca.
The funding granted to Adif will also be used for work on rehabilitation, expansion, and new construction of commuter stations. With these actions, more accessible and modern facilities will be enabled and intermodality will be enhanced.
RENFE: 118,5 MILLION EUROS FOR DIGITALIZATION AND IMPROVEMENTS
Along with the commuter train infrastructures, another priority objective is to improve services to increase the number of passengers who opt for one of the most sustainable transport systems. To this end, Renfe will be allocated 118,5 million euros of investment for the digitalization of security, information, and access controls systems of railway stations. Such actions will be 100% financed with these funds.
The projects of systems modernization and implementation of new technologies seek to improve the management of public railway transport services and increase customer satisfaction. In total, more than 850 stations of the commuter railway network managed by Renfe are expected to benefit from these funds.
The planned investments are divided into five major areas. On the one hand, 33 million euros will be used in the digitalization of the security systems of the commuter train stations. Through the application of “intelligent video analytics” the aim is to optimize the control of capacity, increase security and control possible fraud. The installation of cameras will allow to obtain strategic data for the detection of any alarm in real time. This way, not only will the positive perception of the traveller be improved, but the overall operation of the system will be enhanced.
Secondly, another 33 million euros from the global budget will be aimed at modernizing traveller information systems (intercom, digital signage, chronometry, etc.). This technology is especially important in a mode of transport where frequency and punctuality are some of the aspects that the user values the most.
Another area in which action will be taken – with an investment of 23 million euros – is in the improvement of access controls. The commitment here is to contactless technology (intelligent contactless systems) as well as to fare integration with other modes of transport managed by the consortia.
These works are complemented by the modernization of the self-service machines, which have a budget of 16 million euros and are part of the “intelligent access controls” project.
Finally, Renfe has financing of 13 million euros for the general adequacy of the facilities. This amount will be used for various equipment and power stations for the network of commuter stations.
◗ INVESTMENTS IN THE IMPROVEMENT AND DIGITALIZATION OF THE SERVICE (RENFE): 118.5 M€
| Inversiones en la mejora y digitalización del servicio (Renfe): 118,5 M€ | |
| 1) Digitalization of security systems in stations | Intelligent video analytics for crowd and capacity control.
Increase of cybersecurity and fraud control. |
| 2) Information systems for travellers | Information systems and intercom in stations.
Supply and installation of digital signage. Evolutionary information systems, chronometry. |
| 3) Improved access controls | Access and Ticketing Controls,
Contactless smart validators, cancellers. Tariff integration in transport consortia. Barcode readers. |
| 4) Adaptation of self-service machines to new technologies | Remote-control blinds facilities for the closing of lobbies equipped with machines.
Purchase of new self-service machines. |
| 5) Adequacy of the facilities | Equipment for the conditioning of facilities and the network.
Uninterrupted power systems. |
Source: Own elaboration. Mafex Magazine