Improvements in public transport mean better connectivity to the UAB

The increase in frequency represents the maxim capacity of this line that joins Sabadell, Terrassa, Sant Cugat, Rubí, the UAB, Sant Quirze del Vallès and Bellaterra with the centre of Barcelona, a line which in 2019 reached a record of 66.3 million journeys.

The frequency in FGC trains at peak times will increase, with one train every five minutes headed to Terrassa and Sabadell, and one train every 2.5 minutes to Sant Cugat. Thus, instead of 22 trains per hour there will now be 24 travelling to Sant Cugat at peak times and instead of 6 trains per hour there will be 12 travelling to Sabadell and Terrassa. This double amount of trains communicating Barcelona with Sabadell and Terrassa represents 37% improvement in connectivity with the UAB, 22% more with Sant Cugat and 20% more connectivity with Rubí.

This new service and increase in number of trains has been made possible by the purchase of 15 new train units, as well as by the different actions taken to maximise the use of the train lines. The new units are more modern and include two multifunctional spaces for people with reduced mobility, bicycles, prams, etc.

The S6 Universitat Autònoma and S7 Rubí lines will continue respectively until reaching Sabadell and Terrassa, and will disappear to become the S1 and S2 lines. The S5 Sant Cugat line will also disappear and the service will be covered by the S1 and S2 lines. Therefore, now all trains from the S1 and S2 lines will stop at all stations and will cover the service and stations now operated by lines S5, S6 and S7.

This incease in frequency thus maximises the capacity of the lines limking Sabadell, Terrassa, Sant Cugat, Rubí, the UAB, Sant Quirze del Vallès and Bellaterra with the centre of Barcelona; a line which in 2019 reached a record number of 66.3 million journeys.

Improvements in RENFE commuter trains

RENFE is also improving its infrastructure; those travelling to the UAB by train will see the improvements occuring step by step. This is what coordinator of the Catalunya Rodalies commuter trains Pere Macias explained at the UAB Mobility Table – an entity formed by representatives of the Government of Catalonia, the ATM, the AMB, public transport operators and the city councils of Cerdanyola del Vallès and Sabadell — which took place at the UAB on 18 November.

A total of 20% of all daily journeys to the UAB take place by using the RENFE0's Rodalies commuter trains. Pere Macias talked about some of the improvements RENFE will make in the Vallès Occidental region. With regard to connections with the UAB, he affirmed that the R8 line will soon double its frequency and pass every 30 minutes. In addition, the R1 line, connecting the UAB with many of the town in the Baix Llobregat region, will reach the Cerdanyola Universitat station as soon as the underground works are finished in Sant Feliu de Llobregat in 2026.

Bicycles and buses

With regard to bicycles, the Mobility Table also informed about the fact that a bike trail is being made available between the UAB and Badia del Vallès as planned and that will be opened towards the end of the year. The green trail around campus was also programmed to be made available soon, but administrative changes have put a temporary halt on that.

Finally, with regard to the interurban bus lines connecting the UAB to the surrounding towns, the need for more buses was solved in some cases, such as connectivity with the town of Manresa, while in other cases such as the E3 bus line, connecting the campus with Cerdanyola, talks are still underway to make the necessary changes and improvements in the service.

 

Rodalies timetables: https://rodalies.gencat.cat/ca/horaris/index.html

FGC timetables: https://www.fgc.cat/linies-i-horaris/