Ageing Fleet Raises Safety Concerns
39% of the 187 vehicles used by Barcelona City Council's Parks and Gardens department are over 15 years old, and nearly half are at least a decade old, according to a report by the CC.OO. trade union section. The document, accessed by Europa Press and shared by the BComú group during a committee meeting on Wednesday 21st October 2026, highlights deteriorating working conditions for municipal gardeners. More than 100 of the 187 vehicles do not have air conditioning, with only 86–46%, equipped with the system. Of those, just 8 are in efficient working order, while one is non-functional. This means 53.5% of the fleet is unclimatised, a concern raised during summer heat when staff spend long hours in vehicles.
Opposition Demands Faster Action
Marc Serra, BComú spokesperson, criticised the slow pace of the municipal government in conducting its own vehicle census, approved in a council session in July 2026. He urged officials to prioritise the issue and complete the inventory by summer 2027.
What I ask is that you prioritize this issue, that you get to work, that we have this inventory as soon as possible, and above all, that we have this work completed by the summer of 2027,
Serra said.
City Council Response
Albert Batlle, Deputy Mayor for Security, responded that the full inventory will not be ready until the end of 2026. He confirmed the final report will include specific information on air conditioning systems across the fleet.
What this means for you: Municipal workers in Barcelona’s Parks and Gardens service continue to operate ageing vehicles without climate control. The city council has committed to completing a full fleet assessment by the end of the year. Residents may observe ongoing service limitations until upgrades are implemented.
Reported by larazon.es, H. de Miguel, La Razón Cataluña.
