Chaos on Rodalies: Barcelona wakes without trains and with long station queues

Barcelona and its metropolitan area are suffering serious disruptions to Rodalies services. Landslides on the R1 have forced Renfe to put on buses. Engineers are inspecting the infrastructure. Passengers face delays and interminable journeys.

Barcelona and its metropolitan area woke up this Saturday plunged into rail chaos. The Rodalies de Catalunya service has been halted on several sections and is suffering major delays following the landslides recorded on the R1 line. The urgent inspection of the infrastructure has forced the suspension of numerous journeys and the improvisation of alternatives.

Renfe has deployed bus services to cover the affected journeys. On the R1, passengers must travel by road between Blanes and Maçanet-Massanes, as well as between Badalona and Montgat. The rest of the line is running only two trains per hour in each direction, far below the usual frequency.

On the R2 Sud, the closure between Castelldefels and Garraf is also being covered by buses. The R3 offers alternative transport between Fabra i Puig, La Garriga and Ribes. The R4, meanwhile, requires passengers to change modes of transport between Terrassa and Martorell, and between Martorell Central and Sant Sadurní d’Anoia. Only between Manresa and Martorell Central is the usual timetable being maintained, while one train per hour in each direction runs between Sant Vicenç de Calders and Sant Sadurní d’Anoia.

These solutions allow users to get around, although journeys are longer and stations are filling with queues and anxiety. Renfe and Adif, together with the Govern, have mobilised geotechnical engineers to inspect every point at risk of landslides. Information and passenger-assistance staff have been reinforced at the most affected stations.

A key meeting is scheduled for 9:00 at the Department of Territory to coordinate alternative services and plan the gradual resumption of trains. Meanwhile, mobility in Barcelona and the surrounding area remains marked by uncertainty and waiting.