Passengers using Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC) in Barcelona encountered shorter queues on Wednesday morning during the second day of a 13-day service closure between Gràcia and Sarrià stations. The line is shut from 11 to 23 August for track renovation works on the Vallès line, affecting L6, S1 and S2 services.
Alternative bus services ran more smoothly than on the first day, with additional buses and information officers deployed at key stops including Gràcia, Sant Gervasi, Muntaner, La Bonanova, Les Tres Torres and Sarrià. These measures followed complaints from Tuesday’s rush hour, when many commuters reported confusion and delays due to poor signage and long waits at Plaça Gal·la Placídia.
Service Disruption and Replacement Plan
The shutdown allows FGC to replace the ballast track with concrete slab track on line 1 between Gràcia and Muntaner, improving service resilience and reducing maintenance costs. Additional upgrades will be carried out on switch systems between Muntaner and La Bonanova, according to the operator’s official notice.
This work is part of the wider Plaça Catalunya to Sarrià track renewal project, which previously saw upgrades completed between Sarrià and Muntaner using a method that allowed overnight construction without full closures.
The buses are slower than the train, but at least today I knew where to go. On Tuesday, no one did., Commuter at Gràcia station
Journey Adjustments and Travel Advice
Rail services continue normally between Sarrià and destinations in Terrassa and Sabadell. Between Gràcia and Plaça Catalunya, trains run every three and a half minutes during peak times, less frequently than usual, but with a maximum of 18 trains per hour per direction.
Commuters are advised that travel times on the replacement bus route along Via Augusta will be significantly longer. FGC has set up an information network at affected stations to guide users and clarify connections.
The timing of the works, during the two weeks of lowest commuter traffic in August, was chosen to minimise impact, according to FGC’s public statement.
Primary sources: govern.cat. Reported by 3cat.cat, David Guerrero, Judit Bertran, Sofía Díaz, ACN, Natàlia Vila, ground.news, viaempresa.cat, Gemma Bastida, Mari Latorre, 3CatInfo Barcelona.
