Metro strike causes chaos in Barcelona

Barcelona (CNA).- Barcelona commuters endured on Monday long queues and severe delays due to a new strike by employees of the city’s metro. Despite the minimum services agreed by the Catalan Ministry of Labour, platforms were especially crowded during peak time this Monday morning, with some trains so full no more passengers could be taken on board. Metro workers have called a week of strikes between the 30^th of May and the 2^nd of June, with an interruption in service expected on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on the metro, and on Friday in the bus service.     

The most complicated situation was on the L5, especially in the stations of Sants, La Sagrega and Sagrada Familia. Trains were running at a minimum service of 40% between 07.00 and 09.00, with delays of up to 10 minutes. More problems are expected in the afternoon, between 16.00 and 18.00, with a 40% service, and trains running every 10-13 minutes on the L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 lines, and every 14-22 minutes on the L9, L10 and L11. Between 20.30 and 22.30 service will be only at 20%, with trains every 18-26 minutes on the first group of lines and between 14-33 minutes on the rest.

The same situation is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, there will only be 20% of the normal number of trains during the morning rush hour, with delays of up to 26 minutes on the main lines. In the afternoon, service will be at 40%, with 9-13 minutes delays expected. On Friday, bus drivers are expected to strike.

Besides these protests, the Union of workers of the metro are also calling new strikes for the 16^th of June, when the Sonar Festival is going to be on in Barcelona, and for the 23^rd of June, for Sant Joan, a big feast day in Catalonia.