Chaos on Rodalies Commuter Trains: Passengers Face Delays and Danger

In a week marked by persistent disruptions, the Rodalies commuter rail network in Catalonia faced another morning of chaos on Friday, March 7, 2025. The latest incident was triggered by an electricity outage reported at around 8:40 a.m., causing significant delays and forcing passengers to take drastic measures.

Electricity Outage and Delays

The electricity outage affected train services between Barcelona Sants station and El Prat de Llobregat, resulting in trains operating on a single track. This led to delays of at least half an hour on lines R14, R15, R16, and R17. The situation was exacerbated by a stranded train between Bellvitge and Gavà, which was evacuated by Catalan firefighters and Mossos d'Esquadra police at around 9:30 a.m.

Passengers in Danger

In a alarming turn of events, several passengers were seen walking on the tracks between Bellvitge and El Prat de Llobregat after train services were halted. Renfe, Spain’s public train operator, urgently warned commuters not to walk on the rails until law enforcement arrived to escort them safely to Bellvitge. Firefighters assisted in evacuating approximately 900 people from the affected trains.

Public Reaction and Criticism

The incident sparked widespread criticism and frustration among commuters. Sara Pérez, a daily commuter for eight years, expressed her dissatisfaction: "You pay your ticket rigorously every day and they are a disgrace. The worst thing is that they don't say anything and don't offer an alternative." Carlos Goitia, who works at the airport and had a medical appointment at Bellvitge Hospital, missed his appointment due to the delays and criticized the lack of information provided by the authorities.

Official Apologies and Promises

Catalan President Salvador Illa apologized to the affected citizens from Perpignan, where he was attending an event. He assured that the government is "focused on solutions, not controversies" and promised "all the efforts and resources of the government" to resolve the issue. Antonio Carmona, the director of Rodalies, also apologized to the commuters and explained that technicians are working to restore power and resume normal services as soon as possible.

Infrastructure Issues and Political Reactions

The latest disruptions highlight the ongoing problem of outdated infrastructure in the Rodalies network. Sílvia Paneque, Catalonia's territory minister and government spokesperson, acknowledged the issue but warned that improvements due to recent investments will not be noticeable for at least two years.

The opposition party Junts demanded that President Illa appear in parliament to address the "daily chaos" in the commuter rail network. MP Mònica Sales criticized Illa for being "silent" to avoid inconveniencing the ruling Spanish Socialist Party. The far-left pro-independence CUP also condemned the "absurd chaos" and the risks posed to passengers.

Upcoming Demonstrations

In response to the ongoing issues, the Catalan National Assembly has called for a demonstration against the "chaos" of the commuter trains on April 5 at 12:00 in front of Barcelona's Sants station. This coincides with another demonstration by the Tenants' Union to demand a drop in rents.

The persistent problems on the Rodalies network have left commuters frustrated and seeking immediate solutions, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure improvements and better communication from the authorities.