To pay or not to pay

What a joy it is to be loved. We read in ARA that the Minister of Territory, Sílvia Paneque, has informed us that “Rodalies users will pay again to use the train starting next Saturday, May 9. Thus, the last day to use the railway network for free will be Friday, May 8”.

We read in ARA that the Minister of Territory, Sílvia Paneque, has informed us that “Rodalies users will pay again to use the train starting next Saturday, May 9. Thus, the last day to use the railway network for free will be Friday, May 8”.

Renfe was free due to a tragedy. The fatal accident in Gelida, in which a trainee driver died when a highway retaining wall collapsed onto the train. The tragedy must have already expired, I suppose, and now someone will wait, I understand, for another one to occur to travel —forgive me for the euphemism— somewhere on the railway network.

My case is a bit complicated. I just happen to have to take a train —I am an empowered and heroic woman— on the eighth of May. And that day is free. My journey would normally last 40 minutes, but, alas, knowing how Renfe is, I probably won't arrive until two or three days later. What do I do? Do I pay or not pay? Do I pay for the first twenty kilometers? Do I pray to La Moreneta and the Virgin of the Push to help me arrive within the time slot of the eighth? If I take more than a day, which could happen, do I pay for two tickets? If they provide an alternative bus, will that also be paid? Until the day of my daily adventure arrives, I will enjoy the privilege of freeness, which is a privilege, yes, because it prevents me from protesting when, after one of these trips, I arrive home like any Miquel Strogoff and so much time has passed that they ask me who I am.