Lorraine Williamson
Rail passengers across Catalonia faced another morning of major disruption on Wednesday after train drivers initially declined to operate services while seeking additional safety assurances following the recent severe weather.
Services began to resume progressively later in the morning after the drivers’ union accepted safety reports on the affected infrastructure. However, several routes and sections remain disrupted, with replacement buses operating in some areas.
The disruption followed days of torrential rain that have caused flooding, damaged infrastructure and created widespread transport problems across Catalonia.
Renfe said early on Wednesday that it could not guarantee Rodalies services and advised passengers to use alternative transport. Infrastructure manager Adif maintained that the railway was safe to operate, while drivers raised concerns about conditions on sections affected by the storms.
Drivers sought additional safety assurances
The dispute centred on whether sufficient checks had been completed before trains returned to the affected tracks.
The Semaf train drivers’ union had requested access to safety reports following inspection runs carried out after the storms. Drivers initially declined to operate on some affected sections while those assurances were being sought.
By around 10.00 am, the union had accepted the safety reports and services began to restart progressively.
Rodalies director Òscar Playà described the earlier stoppage as a labour dispute, saying the railway infrastructure itself had been considered safe. Catalan president Salvador Illa also criticised the stoppage in parliament on Wednesday morning, arguing that responsibility for certifying the safety of the tracks lies with the relevant railway authorities rather than individual unions.
Services returning but disruption continues
The restart does not mean the network has returned to normal.
According to the latest Rodalies information, trains are operating on parts of several major routes, while other sections remain without rail services or are being covered by replacement road transport.
On the R1, trains are operating between L’Hospitalet de Llobregat and parts of the route towards Girona, while alternative road transport is being used on affected sections. The R2 Sud, R3 and R4 are also operating on parts of their routes, with restrictions or replacement transport elsewhere.
Other services continue to face more substantial disruption as infrastructure affected by the storms is inspected and restored.
Storm damage continues to affect transport
The rail disruption comes after several days of exceptionally severe weather in Catalonia. The storms have caused extensive flooding and transport disruption and left two people dead. Searches have also been under way for two missing people, including a 12-year-old boy.
Catalonia’s 112 emergency service received 661 calls relating to 481 incidents between midday and 11.00 pm on Tuesday alone, according to figures reported by RTVE.
Although the weather situation has improved in some areas, the effects of the storms continue to be felt across the transport network. Railway authorities say further services will be restored as affected infrastructure is cleared, inspected and considered safe for trains and passengers.