Barcelona’s busiest metro line, L1, has added an extra train to alleviate peak-hour congestion. However, despite this reinforcement, average wait times on the line remain longer than in 2022, even with a substantial increase in passenger numbers.

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Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) introduced the additional convoy from Tuesday, 28 May. This measure reduced the platform waiting time by five seconds during the morning peak hours, from 07:00 to 09:30. The current frequency between trains is now three minutes.

This new frequency, however, does not match the service level from four years ago, when passenger volumes were significantly lower. The L1, known as the red line, served 126.3 million users last year, making it the most utilised metro line in Barcelona.

The line has experienced increased pressure since late January, following disruptions to the Rodalies R3 and R4 suburban train lines. Many commuters shifted to interurban buses and then the metro for their final journey into and out of Barcelona. This change has led to significant crowding at stations like Fabra i Puig during peak times. Passengers sometimes must wait for multiple trains to find sufficient space.

Persistent Congestion Challenges

Despite the recent improvement, the L1’s operational performance has not recovered to 2022 levels. In 2022, the L1 trains ran with a frequency of 2.52 minutes, which was eight seconds faster than the current service. The increase in waiting times occurred in 2024.

At that point, the line reduced its peak-hour convoys from 36 to 34. This reduction happened even as the line recorded a historic surge in users. Passenger numbers rose from 116 million to 125 million in 2024. The L1 then accounted for 27% of all Barcelona metro passengers.

The commercial speed of the line also decreased, from 26.50 km/h in 2022 to 25.30 km/h last year. TMB attributes the changes since 2022 to two primary factors. Firstly, a higher passenger volume requires more time for boarding and alighting. This naturally reduces the service speed and increases waiting times. Secondly, TMB has been renewing its fleet of trains since 2022.

Enhanced Train Capacity

The older series 4000 convoys had a capacity of 950 people. The newer series 8000 trains, now in circulation, can accommodate 1,400 people. Consequently, despite running with a lower frequency compared to 2022, the 35 current trains offer 49,000 places during peak hours. This represents a significant increase from the 33,250 places available previously.

The recently added convoy aims to ease the current situation. Users have already reported slightly reduced crowding during peak hours. The L1 wagons are also wider, accommodating 10% more people than other metro lines. This design helps manage the high passenger volume in Barcelona, a city of 1.6 million residents.

L5 Line Improvements

In contrast, only the L5 line has improved its commercial speed over the last three years. Its speed increased from 25.50 km/h to 26 km/h. In 2023, the L5 added a convoy, bringing its total to 37 trains during peak hours. This improved its frequency by four seconds, from 2.33 to 2.29 minutes.

TMB officials explain that the L5’s extra train became possible due to track renovation works. These works, completed two years ago between Cornellà and Collblanc, involved installing new points. These points allow for a greater number of trains to circulate efficiently. The new train TMB plans to add to the L5 will further reduce its frequency by five seconds, to 2.24 minutes.

While the addition of one train provides some relief, Barcelona’s L1 metro line continues to face the challenge of balancing increased passenger demand with service efficiency. TMB’s ongoing efforts to modernise its fleet and infrastructure aim to enhance the overall commuter experience.

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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.