The Rodalies network in Catalonia started Thursday without service, despite the announcement of a progressive resumption, maintaining the total shutdown initiated after the fatal accident on the R4 line in Gelida. The operator Renfe attributes the delay to “operational causes,” such as the lack of trains prepared at the line heads, but spokesperson Antonio Carmona pointed directly to the drivers, who demand greater safety.
“"They are not telling us that the Rodalies line is safe. They tell us, informally, that everything is fine."
The drivers, represented by the majority union Semaf, are demanding additional safety measures and written guarantees from Adif before resuming work. Given the situation, the Generalitat de Catalunya, through Pere Macias, commissioner for the Transfer of Rodalies, has announced the opening of a file against Renfe for the non-provision of service, even though Adif has guaranteed the safety of the network.
The Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, stated that he has no knowledge of a hidden strike but acknowledged that the drivers' demands cannot be met in a few hours, despite admitting the historical underinvestment in the network.
“"They demand technical measures and guarantees of absolute safety that are not viable. It cannot be done in a few hours. If the emotional soufflé comes down, we can reach a reasonable agreement."
To mitigate the impact, the Government has implemented several measures, such as increasing frequencies on Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC) lines, lifting the tolls on the C-32 in Garraf, and temporarily suspending the Low Emission Zones (ZBE) in the Barcelona metropolitan area until Friday. The fleet of interurban buses has also been reinforced, particularly in areas like Maresme.
