Drivers Refuse Service Amid Safety Dispute

This Wednesday morning, Rodalies train services across several lines have been disrupted after drivers refused to operate trains due to insufficient safety assurances following storm damage. The main drivers' union, Semaf, sent a formal letter to Renfe management late Tuesday night stating it was "obliged" to protect worker safety and could not guarantee service under current conditions. The action follows an incident on Tuesday when a tree fell on the R2 South line near Vilanova i la Geltrú. Drivers had requested technical reports confirming the safety of storm-affected sections, particularly those validated by Adif technicians, but did not receive them until around 8 AM on Wednesday.

Under the current conditions, we cannot guarantee the provision of the service with the utmost safety guarantees.

Lines Affected and Alternative Transport

As of 09:23 local time, no trains are running on line R1, the R2 between Granollers and Castelldefels, or the entire routes of the R7 and R8. Limited service operates on other lines, but not all scheduled trains are running. Alternative road transport has been implemented for:

  • R1 between Arenys de Mar and Maçanet
  • R2 between Granollers and Sant Celoni
  • R3 between Ripoll and Puigcerdà
  • R8 along its full route

Safety Protocols in Dispute

Òscar Playà, director of Rodalies, stated that all safety protocols were followed after the storms and described the situation as a "labor dispute." He confirmed receiving Semaf’s letter around 1 AM and insisted that exploratory runs had been completed and infrastructure deemed safe by Adif. However, the unions SEMAF and Alferro argue that Renfe failed to comply with Royal Decree-Law 8/2024, which requires informing the Works Committee of serious risks. Alferro accused management of ignoring alerts and leaving workers to learn about service status via social media.

No queremos otro Gelida, we do not want another Gelida.

The reference points to the fatal 2026 accident at Gelida, after which new safety commitments were made. Union representatives say those promises have since been reduced to "wet paper." Passengers are advised to check Rodalies de Catalunya's official service updates before travelling.

Elsewhere in Catalonia on Catalan.News: RL3 and RL4 Rodalies Trains Run Amid Weather Alert.

Primary sources: rodalies.gencat.cat. Reported by liniaxarxa.cat, lavanguardia.com, ara.cat, elpais.com, Línia Xarxa.