The Generalitat de Catalunya confirmed on Thursday morning that the Barcelona Low Emission Zone suspended restrictions are in effect immediately. This emergency measure allows all vehicles, regardless of their environmental badge status, to enter the city and its metropolitan area without penalty.
This exceptional decision was announced at 07:30 on 22 January 2026. It is a direct response to severe mobility issues caused by a fatal railway accident in Gelida. Consequently, the incident has forced Adif, the railway infrastructure manager, to completely halt Rodalies services across a significant portion of the Catalan network.
Your browser does not support the video tag.Home » Barcelona Low Emission Zone Suspended: Restrictions Lifted Amid Rodalies Rail Chaos
Emergency Mobility Measures
With the commuter rail network effectively collapsed, authorities have introduced several contingency plans. These plans help citizens move in and out of the capital. In addition to the suspension of the Low Emission Zone (ZBE), the government has ordered the lifting of toll barriers at the Garraf tunnels (C-32 south). This step alleviates traffic congestion on alternative road routes. Therefore, these actions manage the resulting surge in road traffic as commuters turn to their cars.
Public transport reinforcements have also been deployed. For example:
- Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC): Capacity has been increased on both the Vallès and Llobregat-Anoia lines. This increase absorbs displaced rail passengers.
- Special Bus Services: A fleet of intercity buses has been mobilised. These buses cover routes affected by the train suspension while safety inspections continue.
Impact of the Rodalies Accident
The transport crisis stems from a serious fatal accident that occurred in Gelida on Tuesday. The tragedy has required extensive safety reviews of the tracks. As a result, officials describe a total suspension of the Rodalies service with no immediate forecast for a full recovery. You can read more details about the fatal Gelida train accident in our initial report.
Commuters are advised to utilise private vehicles if necessary. They can take advantage of the lifted environmental restrictions. Alternatively, they should seek other public transport options provided by the increased FGC and bus services. The Generalitat states these measures will remain in place while the rail network undergoes critical safety checks. Further updates are expected soon regarding the restoration of Rodalies service.
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