R7 (Rodalies de Catalunya)
The R7 is a line of Rodalies de Catalunya's Barcelona commuter rail service, operated by Renfe Operadora. It links Sant Andreu Arenal railway station in northern Barcelona with Cerdanyola Universitat railway station, which serves the Bellaterra campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona. The R7 shares tracks for most of its length with Barcelona commuter rail service lines R3 and R4, as well as regional rail line R12. According to 2010 data, the line's average weekday ridership is 8,140.
A Civia train on a R7 service between Cerdanyola Universitat and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat stations at Barcelona Sants railway station in 2011. | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Commuter rail |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Barcelona metropolitan area |
| First service | 23 May 2005 |
| Current operator(s) | Renfe Operadora |
| Ridership | 8,140 (2010) |
| Annual ridership | 1,901,2014 (2010) |
| Route | |
| Termini | Barcelona Sant Andreu Arenal Cerdanyola Universitat |
| Stops | 7 |
| Distance travelled | 13.5 km (8.4 mi) |
| Average journey time | 19 min |
| Service frequency | Every 15 min–1 h |
| Line(s) used |
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| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | Civia EMUs |
| Track gauge | 1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in) Iberian gauge |
| Electrification | 3,000 V DC overhead lines |
| Track owner(s) | Adif |
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R7 services started operating in 2005, initially running between Martorell and L'Hospitalet de Llobregat stations, via the Vallès Occidental region. The line used most part of the Castellbisbal–Mollet-Sant Fost railway, and the entire Meridiana Tunnel through central Barcelona. It became the first passenger service to use the Castellbisbal–Mollet-Sant Fost railway, originally designed to serve as Barcelona's rail freight bypass. In 2011, the R7 was shortened, so that it began to operate in its current configuration between Sant Andreu Arenal and Cerdanyola Universitat stations. Most part of its original route was then taken over by the R8, which came into service the same year, running between Martorell and Granollers. In the long-term future, it is projected that the R7 will be extended southwards to Barcelona–El Prat Airport, using the Meridiana Tunnel.