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The R3 empties out due to works as travellers switch to the bus
The R3 de Rodalies de Catalunya line, which connects Barcelona with Ripoll, is experiencing one of its most critical moments. Ongoing works and closures have emptied the trains, while more and more users are choosing the free bus as an alternative.
The suspended section between Parets del Vallès and La Garriga, scheduled to last until 2027, has completely changed travellers’ routines. Although the train is still running on part of the route, the lack of reliability and constant delays have led many to opt for a longer but more predictable journey.
The travel experience has become more complicated. From Barcelona, users have to combine train and bus, with long waits and less direct routes. The lack of clear information and timetable mismatches add to the sense of uncertainty.
At stations like La Garriga, the drop in passenger numbers is clear. Trains run almost empty and activity has been reduced to a minimum, reflecting the direct impact of the works on daily life in the area.
The structural problem remains: the R3 is still one of the few lines with a single track along much of its route, which increases delays and limits service frequency.
Meanwhile, many users have accepted the change as part of their daily routine, adapting to longer and less comfortable journeys.
On a key line for mobility between regions, the current situation highlights the cost of years of underfunding and delays, with normal service not expected to return before 2027.