Throughout the morning of Wednesday, January 21, the Tarragona station received a steady stream of users unaware of the interruption of Renfe rail service in Catalonia, caused by the recent storm and the accident in Gelida. Security personnel and Renfe and Adif informers were stationed at the doors to explain the situation, meeting with resignation or the urgent need to find an alternative.
“"I checked the ADIF application and it said nothing, that the trains were running. I missed a statement on the website and I ask for more information from the company."
The lack of regional trains forced many users, such as the student Angelina who had to attend university in Barcelona, to seek alternatives like the bus station. Renfe did not offer alternative road transport, only suggesting travel to the high-speed station at Camp de Tarragona, since the AVE and Avant services were operating.
“"We are risking our lives; we knew that one day there would be a tragedy. This has reached a point where it cannot continue this way."
Several travelers, including Ainhoa Poyatos and Jordi Solé, lamented the fragility of the rail network, pointing out that “the lack of infrastructure investment in recent decades has consequences.” The platform Dignitat a les Vies demanded an “urgent review” of the entire network following the fatal accident in Gelida and showed support for the strike announced by the Semaf union.
