The Rodalies commuter rail service in Catalonia is set to begin another week of severe disruption. Consequently, normality remains far out of reach following the tragic events of January 20. Commuters facing the Monday morning rush will encounter a network defined by speed restrictions, line closures, and a heavy reliance on road transport.
Following a fatal landslide on the line through Gelida last month, infrastructure managers Renfe and Adif, alongside the Generalitat, have struggled to stabilise the network. Despite their efforts to restore services, the infrastructure remains plagued by deficiencies. As a result, the network’s 400,000 daily users face drastic speed reductions at nearly 200 points across the system. Furthermore, many sections remain completely impassable by train.
Your browser does not support the video tag.Home » Rodalies Rail Disruption: Fresh Chaos and Bus Replacements in Catalonia
‘A Terrible Service’
The scale of the crisis was bluntly acknowledged by the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente. He admitted to the Senate on Thursday that “Rodalies is a terrible service.” Little has improved since that admission. Throughout the last week of January, services operated intermittently with 11 sections covered by road transport. Therefore, the first week of February promises similar challenges.
The Generalitat has prepared for the ongoing chaos by contracting an additional 61 buses. This action brings the total reinforcement fleet to 230 vehicles. Some of these buses have been sourced from as far afield as Mallorca to bridge the gaps in the rail map.
Line-by-Line Impact of Rodalies Rail Disruption
While Renfe and Adif are finalising the definitive list of affected zones, several major closures have already been confirmed for the week ahead:
- R8 (Martorell to Granollers): No service. The line is impacted by tunnel works in Rubí, which have also severed freight connections between Spain and France.
- R1 (Maresme): Adif continues work on the unstable terrain caused by the landslide on January 23. The section between Blanes and Maçanet remains closed, with passengers transferred to buses.
- R3 (L’Hospitalet to Puigcerdà): This line faces complex issues. The section between L’Hospitalet and La Garriga is closed for long-term doubling works until 2026. Moreover, the northern section through the Pyrenees lacks snowplough equipment, making its reopening uncertain.
- R4 (Manresa to Sant Vicenç de Calders): This is the site of the fatal Gelida accident. Alternative road transport will continue between Sant Sadurní and Martorell Central. Trains will run normally from Martorell to Terrassa, but buses will likely be required for the onward journey to Manresa.
Conversely, the R2 line, connecting Sant Vicenç de Calders with Maçanet-Massanes via Barcelona, is expected to operate without closures. This provides a rare bright spot in the network.
Safety Inspections Intensify Amid Rodalies Rail Disruption
Adif announced on Sunday that it is actively working on 31 distinct points across the Rodalies network to reinforce trenches and slopes. Over 50 teams are conducting visual inspections on foot and by train. In addition, more than 400 inspections have already been completed on tunnels, bridges, and tracks.
Special attention is being paid to coastal sections, such as the Barcelona-Vilanova and Barcelona-Mataró lines, as well as areas prone to landslides. Adif maintains that it is mobilising all available human and technical resources to restore the infrastructure. However, the high turnover of train drivers may be impacting efforts. Meanwhile, a timeline for full normalisation remains indefinite. For more information on national rail infrastructure, visit the Adif official website.
Join Barcelona English Speakers WhatsApp Community .
