Problems are piling up on the R2 Sud Rodalies line, in Garraf, since the tunnel maintenance works began two weeks ago. The alternative transport plan designed to ensure train circulation while the work continues is not working. The reason? Some of the drivers have refused to work with the new schedules defined by Renfe for this operation, which has rendered the new timetable for the trains useless, as they now run on a single track due to the works. The Spanish drivers' union Semaf alleges that the company did not comply with the established deadlines to give sufficient notice of the changes.

For over a week now, the intercity bus stop on Gran Via, located between Aribau and Muntaner streets, has been teeming with activity. From six in the evening onwards, it becomes an unstoppable hive of activity: buses double-parked, horns blaring, and passengers rushing from work to get home to the various towns in the Garraf region, where these buses serve. Where three buses used to stop, up to six now stop—double the usual number. The reason? Once again, the economic crisis and the commuter rail construction.

Resignation is the prevailing feeling on the first day of the launch of the alternative services. railway maintenance works in the Garraf tunnelsEarly Monday morning, Adif began work to improve this infrastructure, which is badly damaged by marine corrosion. This also meant it was the first day of the alternative road plan, using buses, organized by Renfe to mitigate the effects and ensure mobility for its customers. However, many users say they have long been accustomed to the bus due to the constant disruptions and construction, especially on this section of the rail network. Therefore, today's work didn't "surprise" them. Others lament the fact that the new system will force them to get up earlier or reorganize their workday. This is the case for Andy, who commutes to Barcelona every day and now says he will have to get up 40 minutes earlier. "The train is never good, I've gotten used to the bus," explained Cesc Lacalle, a student, in statements to ACN. Yolanda, another traveler, explains the same thing: for months she's preferred to leave "with more time" but with the option of arriving on time, she says. Selena, who says she usually travels by bus for convenience, considered this morning, during rush hour, that the increased service is "a great solution, as far as possible."

Isabelle Brunet (Vausseroux, 1967) has succeeded in getting her first two wines, a red and a white, both named Calcite, served in Catalan and French restaurants. In Barcelona, ​​they are available at Alkimia, Teórico, and Palma de Bellafila. In Paris, they can be found at Baccarat, owned by chef Alain Ducasse, and in Madrid, at the Gran Hotel Inglés. In between these cities, many other restaurants, especially in the Garraf region, have requested Calcite white and red from the self-taught winemaker to add to their wine lists. However, reaching this milestone has been a long journey, one she has taken with small but sure steps.

"If a passenger train catches fire inside this tunnel, there's no way to quickly rescue anyone." This is the emphatic statement made by Ana Gómez, spokesperson for the user platform Dignity on the Tracks, which for several months has been raising the issue of safety inside the Garraf railway tunnels, through which hundreds of passenger trains pass every day. The platform asserts that the infrastructure—essential for the circulation of the entire southern corridor of Catalonia—is very old and narrow, and lacks sufficient space to allow for a rescue in the event of an incident inside. Union sources also add that the tunnel does not comply with European safety regulations and needs to be renovated. "It has exits to the outside, but not for emergency use," the UGT emphasizes.