Cercanías

The commuter rail systems of Spain's major metropolitan areas are called Cercanías (Spanish: [θeɾkaˈni.as]) in most of Spain, Rodalia (Valencian: [roðaˈli.a]) in the Valencian Community, Aldiriak (Basque: [aldiɾiak]) in the Basque Country, Rodalies (Catalan: [ruðəˈli.əs]) in Catalonia and Proximidades (^{[needs IPA]}) in Galicia. There are fourteen Cercanías systems in and around the cities and regions of Asturias, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cádiz, Galicia, León, Madrid, Málaga, Murcia/Alicante, Cantabria, San Sebastián, Seville, Valencia and Zaragoza. They are linked to Metro systems in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia.

OwnerRenfe Operadora

Transit typeCommuter rail

Began operation1989 (creation of Renfe Cercanías division)

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Cercanías
Overview
Owner	Renfe Operadora
Transit type	Commuter rail
Operation
Began operation	1989 (creation of Renfe Cercanías division)

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The Cercanías division of Renfe was created in 1989 on the advice of engineer and transit planner Javier Bustinduy (es; 1949–2016), as part of a major effort to massively increase ridership, frequencies and hence attractiveness of commuter rail systems in Spain. Cercanías systems are gradually in the process of being transferred to the regional autonomous governments; the first such system to be transferred was the management of the former Cercanías Barcelona/Rodalia Barcelona to the Government of Catalonia and renaming to "Rodalies de Catalunya" (including all regionals) in 2010. The second, and last so far, was the transfer of both Basque systems, Bilbao and San Sebastián (and the right to declare a third in Álava) to the Basque Government in 2025. The Madrid Cercanías network was the target of the 2004 Madrid train bombings. The attacks, which killed 191 people in Santa Eugenia, El Pozo and Atocha stations, were the bloodiest terrorist actions in Spain to date.