Barcelona Strike Day: Metro at 25%, Waits Over 30 Minutes
Barcelona's Nov. 11 general strike cuts Metro and bus service to 25% at peak hours, and the city asks residents not to put out rubbish from 22:00 Tuesday.
Metro and bus service in Barcelona will run at 25% of normal capacity at peak hours during Wednesday’s general strike, and Metro lines L9 and L10 may leave more than 30 minutes between trains. The city council also asks residents not to put rubbish out between 22:00 on Tuesday and 22:00 on Wednesday.
The Ajuntament de Barcelona (city council) approved its minimum services decree for Nov. 11, according to a statement reported by 20minutos. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), the public transport operator, published its own Metro frequencies, reported by CatalunyaPress.
What it means for getting around
The 25% minimum service applies to the peak periods of 6.30 to 9.30 and 16.30 to 21. The Generalitat’s Department of Business and Labour set that level, and it explains the longer waits. Outside those hours, TMB said, service will depend on how widely the strike is followed.
TMB said the time between trains will “increase notably.” Its morning peak figures:
- L1 and L5: 10 to 12 minutes between trains.
- Other conventional lines: waits of up to 15 minutes.
- L9 and L10, the automatic lines: more than 30 minutes, the longest intervals on the network.
In the afternoon peak the intervals are:
- L1 and L5: 11 to 13 minutes.
- L2 and L11: 15 minutes.
- L3 and L4: 18 to 20 minutes.
TMB warned that surface transport will be hit by the protests. It named a gathering at 13:00 in Plaça Universitat and another at 17.30 at the Jardinets de Gràcia. The municipal tow truck service will work with a third of its usual staff, for urgent incidents and removals only.
What it means for rubbish and street cleaning
Cleaning and maintenance of public space will be sized only to cover emergencies and road safety. That is why the council asks people not to take rubbish out between 22:00 on Tuesday and 22:00 on Wednesday.
Emergency, social and school services
Bombers de Barcelona (the fire service) and the Guàrdia Urbana (city police) will have their intervention staff at 100%. The council said the minimum services aim to guarantee “the continuity of critical services and the handling of urgent situations.”
Social canteens will run on a weekend schedule. Home help will cover only urgent and unpostponable care, and care homes, day centers and telecare will keep the staff needed for emergencies.
In schools, a member of the management team will be present. Minimum teaching staff is one teacher for each 6 classrooms in infant and primary schools, 50% of staff in special education, and 33% in municipal nurseries, canteens and extracurricular activities.
What to watch
Actual waits on Wednesday will depend on strike participation, and TMB’s figures are maximum intervals for peak hours. Travelers should check TMB and council channels for updates on the day.
Sources: 20minutos, CatalunyaPress
