Sagrera train station works disruptions: 'I have to get up earlier but I'm still late'

 

The first workday of construction-related disruptions at Barcelona's new Sagrera train station was not as smooth as the R2N and R11 lines' many commuters would have hoped.

Crowds of people billowing out of packed Rodalies trains could be seen on Monday morning at the Sant Andreu Comtal station, where from now until December 2 these lines will begin and end.

This means that for the next two and half months, passengers will have to transfer to the metro if they want to continue on their commute to the city center, with Rodalies providing a bus service from Sant Andreu Comtal to Sagrera. Most, however, have chosen to walk to the nearest metro station instead. 

Around 30,000 people use the R2N and R11 lines on a daily basis.

Longer commutes

And while Rodalies representatives said they were "very satisfied with the alternative transport plan" they have arranged for as long as construction lasts, many passengers were not pleased, with some telling the Catalan News Agency of an additional hour or two to their morning commutes. 

"I rather pay than have a free Renfe pass because now I have to get up earlier but I'm still late," a passenger called Ainhoa said.

Until at least December 31, short and medium-distance train journeys are free thanks to a Spanish government measure to encourage the use of public transport while fuel prices remain high because of the war in Ukraine. 

"I understand they need to do construction," Anna Maria from Granollers said. "I think I'll have to wake up earlier and it'll still be cutting it close but hopefully it'll be worth it."

Confusing instructions

Others, like Rita, said Rodalies had provided them with incorrect information. Rita had rushed from Clot station to Sant Andreu Comtal to catch a train that was supposed to leave for Portbou at 8 am but still hadn't left over half an hour later.

"I called yesterday to see what time the train was leaving and they told us we could catch it from Clot," she complained. "They didn't tell us there would be no trains departing from there."

Another common complaint was that the live departures board was not displaying accurate train times, while Rodalies workers weren't sure of them either. "We don't know when the train will come," Alba, a passenger from Girona, said. "They just told us they'd let us know."

R1 disruptions

Unlike with the R2N and R11, there will only be occasional disruptions to the R1 train line's service because of construction on the new Sagrera station. 

Catalonia's oldest train line, connecting Barcelona to the Maresme county, the R1 will only be affected over three weekends: September 17-19, October 29-30, and November 12-13, when they will start and end in Badalona, meaning passengers will have to take the metro if they wish to go to Barcelona. 

Delays and investment

Commuters in Catalonia have long complained of delays and disruptions on the Rodalies Renfe network - on September 9, a major telecommunications breakdown prevented all trains except high-speed ones from running from 5 am to 8 am, affecting 80,000 people. 

Catalan authorities have also called for increased investment in infrastructure from their Spanish counterparts and have demanded to manage it from Barcelona.