Bus delays hit Torre Baró residents
A sinkhole opened at the top of Carrer de Sant Feliu de Codines in Torre Baró following heavy rains over recent weeks, disrupting the route of the Bus del Barri 183. As a result, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) has had to divert the service, with only one of the line’s three buses, the smallest, able to navigate the alternative path. This has stretched passenger waiting times from around 20 minutes to up to an hour. The 183 connects Torre Baró with lower areas of Ciutat Meridiana and the neighbouring district of Vallbona, serving key destinations such as schools, the local health centre (CAP), and shops. Residents say the disruption is particularly burdensome for elderly users who rely on the line, as the on-demand bus service is difficult to book and often delayed.
“The 183 is the bus that works best for us, because we also have the on-demand bus, but elderly people find it difficult to book and it often takes too long,”
said Rafaela Macarro, a resident affected by the changes.
Temporary measures in place
In the immediate aftermath of the sinkhole, TMB temporarily converted the on-demand bus into a regular service until the 183 could resume with restrictions. The current arrangement sees the small bus completing the full route, while the two medium-sized buses travel only 300 metres up the hill before turning back below El Campillo de la Virgen. Residents are calling for improved alternatives, and TMB has confirmed to Infobarris that it is continuing to assess possible measures to alleviate the situation. Current service updates are available on the TMB service alerts page.
Repair complicated by land ownership
The permanent solution depends on repairing the sinkhole, but the process is complicated by its location. The cavity spans both a roadside verge, public land, and the lower part of a private house. The Barcelona City Council has confirmed to betevé that it is processing repairs on the municipal portion, acknowledging the significant disruption caused. However, work on the private section depends on the homeowner. José Miguel Albuixec, the property owner, has stated he wants action taken quickly, adding that he has reported the deteriorating road condition for years. As of now, there is no set deadline for completing the full repair or restoring the bus route to normal operation.
Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat, Premsa TMB, tmb.cat, barcelona.cat, bop.diba.cat, patrimonicultural.diba.cat. Reported by beteve.cat, betevé.
