The group of socialists in the Parliament has registered a bill proposal to toughen the sanctions for graffiti and vandalic acts on Rodalies trains and on other rolling stock. The reform proposes an increase in fines within the sanctioning regime of Law 4/2006 and foresees its approval before summer, with immediate application.
Higher fines for affecting the service
The modification distinguishes between very serious, serious, and minor infractions. In the highest bracket, behaviors that cause the total or partial stoppage of the Rodalies service may be punished with fines of between 90,000 and 900,000 euros.
For serious infractions, when they consist of destroying, deteriorating, altering or modifying works, track installations or service elements, the foreseen range goes from 18,000 to 90,000 euros.
In the case of minor infractions, the response may be a warning, a fine of up to 18,000 euros, or both measures at once.
The economic impact and on users
The initiative arrives in a context of high cost for the railway system. The cleaning of trains during 2023 amounted to 11.6 million euros, a figure that is equivalent to 32,000 euros per day.
Renfe also estimates that 1.4 million Rodalies passengers were affected by graffiti during 2025. The toughening of sanctions seeks to act on those behaviors that, in addition to material damage, end up affecting the operation and the users of the service.
Will to apply the reform this very year
"No to impunity" - Sílvia Paneque, Minister of Territory
With this proposal, the socialists want to modify the current framework to elevate the administrative response to vandalistic actions on trains and infrastructures linked to the service. If the foreseen deadlines are met, the new sanctioning regime will come into force before summer and will begin to be applied immediately.