News
The R3 empties because of works and travellers choose the bus
The Rodalies de Catalunya R3 line, connecting Barcelona with Ripoll, is going through one of its most critical moments. Prolonged works and closures have emptied the trains, while more and more users choose the free bus as an alternative.
The interrupted section between Parets del Vallès and La Garriga, scheduled to last until 2027, has completely changed travellers' routines. Although the train still runs partially, the lack of reliability and constant delays have led many to prefer a longer but more predictable journey.
The travel experience has become more complex. From Barcelona, users have to combine train and bus, with long waits and less direct routes. The lack of clear information and timetable mismatches compound the sense of uncertainty.
At stations such as La Garriga, the drop in passenger numbers is evident. Trains run almost empty and activity has been reduced to a minimum, reflecting the direct impact of the works on everyday life in the area.
The structural problem persists: the R3 remains one of the few lines with single track for much of its route, which multiplies delays and limits service frequency.
Photo by rodalies.gencat.cat/
Meanwhile, many users have accepted the change as part of their everyday lives, adapting to longer and less comfortable journeys.
On a line key to mobility between counties, the current situation highlights the cost of years of underfunding and delays, with normality not expected to return before 2027.