Rodalies Trains Hit by Widespread Delays and Cable Theft
Rodalies trains across Catalonia ran late Friday morning over driver and train availability, while cable theft hit R4 and R7. Extra buses are running.
Rodalies, the commuter rail network in Catalonia, recorded widespread delays on Friday morning because of an operational incident, according to Renfe (Spain’s state rail operator) sources who spoke to the ACN (Catalan News Agency). The same sources said the incident is related to the availability of drivers and trains.
A separate problem is affecting signaling. Cable was stolen between Fabra i Puig and Montcada i Bifurcació, which hits the R4 line, where delays average about half an hour, and the R7.
Replacement buses between several stations
Renfe has set up reinforcement bus services between Sant Vicenç de Calders and Vilanova i la Geltrú, with intermediate stops. A second bus link runs between Manresa and Terrassa Estació del Nord.
What the Catalan government said
Sílvia Paneque, the consellera de Territori (Catalonia’s regional minister for territory), said on Friday that 40 arrests have been made in three months under the Plan Via, which targets copper theft on Rodalies lines. In a message on X, she demanded that Renfe restore all services and minimize the disruption to passengers after another day of incidents.
Paneque also announced that the Catalan government will file a complaint over the cutting of eight cables at Fabra i Puig. She said the administration will go to the end to establish what happened and to demand responsibility.
What this means for commuters
For people who rely on Rodalies commuter trains, the morning brought two separate problems at once: a shortage tied to drivers and trains that affected the service generally, and cable theft that damaged signaling on a specific stretch of track.
Passengers on the R4 faced the clearest figure, with delays averaging about half an hour. The R7 is also affected, though the report gives no delay time for it. Those traveling between Sant Vicenç de Calders and Vilanova i la Geltrú, or between Manresa and Terrassa Estació del Nord, can use the replacement buses.
Paneque’s reference to another day of incidents indicates this was not the first disruption of its kind. The report does not say when normal service is expected to return, and the demand to restore all services remains with Renfe.
Source: elDiario.es
