6 days Ago By Natàlia Vila
The commuter rail network has once again suspended all service in Catalonia due to "unstable voltage in the electrical grid to ensure traffic flow." This was announced by the Spanish operator Renfe, the day after the general blackout that yesterday left Catalonia, the rest of Spain, and Portugal without power for more than 12 hours in some areas. "Despite all the work we have done all night, it is unfeasible [to offer the service]," stated the director of the commuter rail network, Antonio Carmona, in statements to Catalunya Ràdio.
"When some trains began to be tested, it was found that electrical stability could not be guaranteed, and we have decided to completely suspend the service to avoid situations with trains stopped during the project," he argued. For now, the commuter rail network has no forecast of when it will be able to resume service, nor can it offer alternative services for users who need to travel. High-speed trains along the Mediterranean corridor and those in the northern Iberian Peninsula will also not operate.
However, the high-speed service connecting Barcelona with Madrid and those to Figueres have been launched. Initially, early this Tuesday, Renfe had reported that it had been able to restore the circulation of commuter trains and that they would operate at a minimum service of 60% on most lines, albeit with delays. However, the use of alternative means of transport was recommended, and it was warned that regional train service was not guaranteed.
Finally, the company has decided to cancel the entire service. Many commuter train users have spent the night at the station, which opened its doors to accommodate passengers unable to return home. Yesterday, the blackout stranded dozens of moving trains across Spain, which were left stranded, without power and with passengers inside.
According to the government, some trains were still operating at midnight. Many had to walk along the tracks in the dark, with the only light coming from their cell phone flashlights. Normalcy on the subway, FGC (trains), and highways For its part, the Catalan Railways (FGC) and the metro have resumed normal service this Tuesday, as explained this morning by the Catalan operator and TMB.
The TRAM has reported that service on lines T1, T2, and T3 is operating normally, while on lines T4, T5, and T6 it has been restored, but frequencies have been altered. On the roads, the Catalan Traffic Service reports that the situation on the Catalan road network is normal. Rush hour is currently beginning, and the usual traffic jams are beginning to occur at the entrances to Barcelona, mainly on the C-58, A-2, and B-23 motorways entering the Catalan capital and on the Litoral and Dalt ring roads.
Traffic has also reopened and returned to normal on the A-27 between Montblanc and Valls..
