Renfe and train drivers’ representatives agreed on Friday 13th November to end a shift arrangement that required drivers to start work at Barcelona Sants station. The change, due to take effect on Sunday, addresses a dispute that has disrupted early Rodalies commuter trains because some drivers could not reach Sants in time.

The agreement was reached at a meeting on Friday afternoon between Renfe, Spain’s state rail operator, and the works council representing employees, according to the original reporting by elDiario.es Catalunya. The council includes the SEMAF train drivers’ union.

Both Renfe and the unions confirmed that the shift patterns, schedules and starting stations used until 1st November will be reinstated. Further meetings are planned to negotiate staff working conditions and safety.

Why the Sants arrangement caused disruption

The previous agreements were broken by SEMAF, after which Renfe introduced an alternative schedule requiring drivers to begin their shifts at Sants. Some staff were unable to arrive in time for early departures, including trains leaving at 04:30, causing service disruptions during the week.

Union sources told the Catalan News Agency, ACN, that returning to the earlier arrangements was necessary for staff and passengers. Renfe sources welcomed the agreement with the works council and the return to arrangements in place before 2nd November.

Delays and bus services on Friday

Rodalies also recorded widespread delays on Friday morning because of an operational incident related to the availability of drivers and trains, Renfe sources told ACN. A separate cable theft affected signalling between Fabra i Puig and Montcada i Bifurcació.

The cable incident affected the R4 and R7 lines. R4 trains experienced average delays of around 30 minutes, according to the reports.

Renfe arranged additional road services on two stretches:

  • Between Sant Vicenç de Calders and Vilanova i la Geltrú, with intermediate stops.
  • Between Manresa and Terrassa Estació del Nord.

A Rodalies service notice issued at 07:04 on Friday listed the Sant Vicenç de Calders to Vilanova i la Geltrú road service for the R2 South line. Passengers can check the official notice page for service updates.

Minister calls for services to be restored

Sílvia Paneque, Catalonia’s regional minister for territory, said on Friday that 40 arrests had been made in three months under Plan Via, an operation against copper theft on Rodalies lines.

In a message on X, Paneque said the service was gradually returning to normal and called on Renfe to act:

“We have demanded that Renfe restore all services and minimise the disruption to the public.”

Paneque also said the Catalan government would report the cutting of eight cables at Fabra i Puig and seek to establish what happened and who was responsible.

What it means for you

  • When: The previous shift schedule will be reapplied starting Sunday.
  • Where: The service disruptions affected Rodalies lines, including R4 and R7, between Fabra i Puig and Montcada i Bifurcació.

Sources: elDiario.es, Rodalies de Catalunya, VilaWeb (ACN), ACN, Nació Digital.