Bus stops on the Diagonal change to reduce daily chaos

On weekdays, around 1,800 coaches pass through this part of the Diagonal. Until now, some stops had dozens of lines converging at a single point, making boarding, accessing information, and passenger flow difficult during peak hours.

The reorganisation increases the number of boarding points from 13 to 23. With this new arrangement, no stop will have to handle more than 20 lines, compared to the nearly 40 that could previously be concentrated at some locations.

Much of the work has involved expanding the reserved areas on the road and redistributing services. The aim is to better separate routes and prevent several coaches from arriving at the same time at spots that are too narrow.

The improvement comes after years of complaints about damaged shelters, unused posts, and outdated information. In some cases, maps still showed old references, a sign of the lack of maintenance along this route.

The City Council and the Generalitat say this first phase will continue. The next steps should include new shelters, more shade, and more consistent accessibility for older people, users with reduced mobility, and travellers with pushchairs.

The arrival of the tram and the gradual transformation of the Diagonal have once again highlighted the role of the bus. Thousands of students, workers, and residents rely on these lines every day to connect the centre with the university area and metropolitan municipalities.

The change is noticeable in something as basic as knowing where to wait and being able to board without getting caught between several queues. The measure leaves the Diagonal a bit more organised, although the real improvement will come when the stops also renew their shade, signage, and accessibility.