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The new V5 bus route removes two stops in La Marina de Port and sparks neighbourhood protests
The change to the V5 bus line has altered routines in Barcelona, especially in La Marina de Port. The extension of the route towards Marina del Prat Vermell has meant the removal of two key stops, leaving some residents without a direct connection to public transport.
The discontinued stops, located on Mare de Déu de Port and Cisell, were used daily by residents accessing essential services. According to neighbourhood associations, they served schools, a nursery, a social and healthcare centre, an occupational centre and the neighbourhood football pitch.
Discontent is growing among those who must now travel greater distances to catch the bus, in some cases along poorly lit streets. Residents also question recent decisions, such as the installation of an accessible platform at a stop that has now disappeared.
For many residents, the V5 line was the only direct connection to other areas of the city. Although alternatives exist on the Zona Franca promenade, they believe the older part of the neighbourhood is left practically isolated and with less convenient options.
The neighbourhood proposal is to restore the previous route and extend it without removing stops. TMB, by contrast, maintains that the new route preserves coverage and points out that access to the service remains possible from other nearby streets. It also acknowledges overcrowding problems at peak times and hopes to strengthen the frequency.
The conflict reopens the debate on how to plan transport in peripheral neighbourhoods. In areas such as La Marina de Port, where services are limited, any change has a direct impact on mobility and on the quality of life of those who rely on public transport every day.