First day of the R3 macro-outage: 21,000 users affected for at least 16 months

The macro-shutdown of the R3 commuter line has begun, which will disrupt service on the line for more than a year (16 months). For now, the first phase of the operation begins this Tuesday, which will mean that, at least until May 2026, no trains will run between La Garriga and Montcada Bifurcació station. However, the cuts at different points on the line – to carry out the track doubling works on the R3 – will be extended until January 2027. 16 months that will make this cut the longest ever carried out on the commuter network.

The interruption of traffic will affect 21,000 daily users and Renfe and Adif have prepared an alternative road transport plan that will have Centelles and Fabra i Puig station in Barcelona as its key points. These two points are where the hubs The 60 buses that will be deployed to ensure passengers are as affected as possible by the massive power outage will depart from and arrive. This will provide 43,500 daily roadside seats, at a cost of €56.4 million.

Half an hour more journey

The bus service, which will be activated starting this Tuesday, will connect Barcelona—from Fabra i Puig station—with all the municipalities on the line that will be left without a train. This means they will stop at the stations of Mollet-Santa Rosa, Parets del Vallès, Granollers-Canovelles, Les Franques, and La Garriga. There will also be direct shuttles from La Garriga, Parets del Vallès, and Centelles to Fabra i Puig (the other way around). At the same time, direct buses will also run from Centelles to Vic (the other way around).

For all these reasons, Renfe estimates that the alternative plan will increase the journey time by between 20 and 30 minutes compared to what passengers on this line normally take by train.

While the R3 line is closed, the Catalan government has scheduled biweekly meetings with Renfe and Adif to coordinate the works and ensure the proper functioning of the proposed transport alternatives. However, they advise conducting a weekly assessment of incidents and improving infrastructure security to prevent vandalism. The Catalan government and the various administrations also promised improved management, with increased staffing to speed up repairs and optimize train maintenance, with the aim of offering a more efficient service.