Service on the R4 Rodalies line has been significantly disrupted following a landslide in Sant Feliu de Llobregat. This R4 Rodalies disruption, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, has forced the suspension of trains between Martorell and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. Consequently, thousands of commuters in the Barcelona metropolitan area are affected.
Embankment Collapse Causes R4 Rodalies Disruption
The disruption was caused by the partial collapse of an embankment where undergrounding works are currently taking place in Sant Feliu. According to reports from the ACN agency, the landslide affected the platform supporting the railway tracks, although the rails themselves remained intact.
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In an official update, railway infrastructure manager Adif confirmed that circulation was interrupted between Molins de Rei and Sant Feliu de Llobregat. This interruption was due to a “works incident affecting the railway infrastructure”. Adif technicians were immediately dispatched to the site to assess the stability of the ground and begin remedial work.
José Antonio Santano, the Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, stated on social media that traffic was halted strictly as a safety precaution. He confirmed that the issue stemmed from the ongoing construction works and that repairs began “instantly”.
Commuters Advised to Use Alternative Transport
With the line severed, Renfe has advised passengers to seek alternative routes. Antonio Carmona, the spokesperson for Renfe in Catalonia, has directed travellers to use the FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya), Tram, bus, and metro networks.
Speaking to the media from Sants station on Friday, Carmona explained that utilizing the existing integrated transport network is more efficient for entering Barcelona than establishing a makeshift road shuttle service. “There are very powerful modes of transport for entering Barcelona that connect the different towns; we believe it is the best option,” he said. He noted that shuttle buses are more effective for inter-city connections where rail alternatives do not exist.
Renfe maintains a fleet of buses on standby should they become necessary. However, for now, the priority remains on directing passengers to the FGC and metro systems.
No Timeline for Reopening After R4 Rodalies Disruption
Currently, there is no confirmed date for the resumption of normal service on the affected stretch. Carmona declined to set a specific deadline. He stated simply: “When Adif finishes the works and the usual safety protocols are carried out, the service can be reopened.”
This incident adds to a challenging period for the Catalan railway network. The R4 line was already operating with limitations. Meanwhile, the section between Terrassa and Manresa had only recently seen the restoration of shuttle trains. This followed a review of the network initiated after a fatal accident in Gelida in January. This disruption occurs amidst the context of a free Rodalies service extended indefinitely. Renfe hopes to stabilize frequencies on other affected northern sections by Friday. However, for passengers in the Llobregat valley, the disruption is expected to continue until the embankment is fully secured.
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