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Barcelona faces another heatwave with a metro system pushed to its limits by the stifling heat
The fourth heatwave of the summer is once again putting Barcelona metro users to the test. Extreme temperatures have turned many platforms into uncomfortable spaces, especially during rush hour, when the heat, humidity and lack of ventilation make waiting increasingly unpleasant.
The main complaints are focused on busy stations such as Plaça Catalunya and Plaça de Sants. There, many users say that just a few minutes on the platform is enough to feel an oppressive heat, in stark contrast to the much cooler environment inside the trains. Fans, water bottles and the search for any breeze have become part of the daily routine for many travellers.
Transportes Metropolitanos de Barcelona has spent years looking for ways to reduce the high temperatures underground. However, the characteristics of the oldest lines make any definitive improvement difficult. The main obstacle is the so-called "piston effect": every time a train enters the station, it pushes the hot air accumulated in the tunnels onto the platforms, cancelling out much of the effect of the cooling systems.
The experimental devices installed in recent years, such as the cooling tubes at Plaça Catalunya (L1) and Plaça de Sants (L5), are still in operation, although many users feel that the relief remains insufficient during episodes of extreme heat. Older people or those with health problems are the most affected by the high temperatures while waiting for the next train.
Breakdowns in the trains' air conditioning systems are now less frequent than a few years ago, which improves comfort once the journey begins. Even so, the experience on the platforms remains one of the main challenges for the network during the summer months, especially when high temperatures coincide with large numbers of passengers.
The automatic lines L9 y L10 offer a very different reality. As more modern infrastructures, they have independent ventilation systems and a design that limits the entry of hot air from the tunnels, allowing much more stable temperatures to be maintained in the stations.
Platform climate control has become one of the major challenges for public transport in Barcelona. The combination of a century-old network, more frequent heatwaves and a growing number of passengers means solutions must be found to improve comfort without compromising the operation of the metro. In the meantime, thousands of users continue to adapt their journeys to avoid the hottest times underground.