Taxi Operators Push Back on Rodalies' Claims
Taxi companies contracted by Rodalies (Barcelona's commuter rail service) have rejected accusations that they caused widespread delays on Thursday 12th November 2026. The commercial director of Taxi Ecològic, Marc Grau, stated the firm had handled all 80 transport requests from Renfe before 6am, but in 30 cases, train drivers did not show up at the pickup points. Grau described the rail operator’s public criticism as perplexing, particularly given that the company had fulfilled all assignments despite operating with only around 15% of its fleet during the previous day’s general strike. He stressed that Renfe contracts were treated with the highest internal priority. Tito Álvarez, spokesperson for Élite Taxi, echoed this, confirming that all taxis were at the agreed location and time. He pointed instead to a recent change in Rodalies’ internal procedures: drivers are now required to report to Sants station first, where taxis collect them for onward transport to train departure points, rather than being picked up directly from home.
We were very aware of the needs a client like Renfe might have, of the responsibilities we have regarding these types of contracts, and internally, they were given the highest priority for service.
Rodalies Blames Taxi Availability
Òscar Playà, director of Rodalies, told Catalunya Ràdio that taxis were not available until 3:30am or 4am, resulting in train drivers failing to reach their starting positions on time. He said he personally began calling taxi firms on Wednesday to prevent a recurrence. Francisco Cárdenas, UGT union representative for train drivers, also cited taxi shortages, noting that early departures, some as early as 4:40am, make punctuality critical. The rail operator confirmed that the practice of transporting drivers is standard, but demand has increased since last Saturday due to broken scheduling agreements with the Semaf union.
Contract and Operational Concerns Raised
Antoni Servós, president of the Sindicat del Taxi de Catalunya, reminded authorities that transport services are awarded through public tender and said Renfe must ensure contractors have sufficient resources. One unnamed company with over 20 years’ experience said it constantly adapts to Rodalies’ changing demands. However, Grau of Taxi Ecològic noted that some contracts had been awarded to operators without enough vehicles or local presence, raising concerns about service reliability.
Service Disruption Despite Strike Postponement
The delays occurred even though the planned train drivers’ strike was called off. Rodalies cited overnight rain, which caused water ingress in some train cabs, and the prior general strike as contributing factors, with many trains unable to reach departure points overnight. The R1 and R2 lines were hardest hit, with the R4 and southern regional lines experiencing delays of 20 to 30 minutes. Buses were deployed at key departure points to help restore service. Rodalies advised passengers to check service status before travelling.
Sources: 3Cat, Nació Digital, La Vanguardia.
