The day began with reports of minimum service violations, compelling travelers heading to Barcelona from Sabadell to use the alternative Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) network. While the Catalan Government and passengers criticized the drivers' strike action, a UGT union representative acknowledged “some incidents” but insisted that minimum services were being met during radio discussions.
By noon, Sants station was the focal point of a mobilization where over a hundred striking drivers protested. The Federal Railway Union – CGT distributed leaflets asking: “¿Y si no hubiera trenes?” (What if there were no trains?), arguing that the strike was necessary due to the “critical moment” the railway infrastructure was facing, citing “lack of preventive maintenance.”
The return trip on the Rodalies network was marked by slowness and uncertainty. Despite a loudspeaker announcement of an imminent train towards Manresa (R4), the screens showed long delays. The train, nearly empty, moved slowly through the underground sections of Barcelona. After a stop at Fabra i Puig due to a “unit incident,” it halted again at Montcada-Bifurcació for about ten minutes without any explanation, a situation met with typical “railway stoicism” by the few passengers.
“"They are always late. It's stressful. You never know if you will be late or if you won't arrive at all."
Three-quarters of an hour after leaving Sants, the train was still near Montcada. The journey finally concluded at Sabadell Nord at 13:42. Upon exiting, the public address system recommended using alternative services, highlighting the chronic frustration of loyal Rodalies users who noted that the difference between a strike day and a “normal” day is often negligible.
