Renfe expects to restore normal service on commuter trains "by April"

BarcelonaCommuter rail users will still have to wait almost two months for service to return to normal. This was admitted this morning by Renfe's spokesperson in Catalonia, Antonio Carmona, who explained that work is underway to eliminate "all limitations" and restore normal service to the commuter rail network "by April." However, the resumption of service on some lines is expected. As Carmona announced from Sants station, work is progressing to have the R3 line "restored" within two weeks. Regarding the closure of the R4 line – where traffic was halted last night between Martorell and L'Hospitalet due to a landslide at the Sant Feliu de Llobregat undergrounding works – Carmona avoided setting a date for the resumption of service on this section: "The moment Adif finishes the works." Meanwhile, this Friday, the Secretary of State for Transport, José Antonio Santano, assured that more commuter rail lines will reopen next week, specifically mentioning the R13, R14, and R4. The high-ranking official from the Spanish Ministry explained to La 2 Cat that the entire network will be "practically" operational in two weeks and that all temporary speed restrictions will be eliminated by April, with plans to phase them out "progressively." As for the railway sector strike planned for next week, From February 9th to 11th, the major unions – CCOO, UGT, and Semaf – have decided to maintain their planned strike. They announced this after their third meeting with the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, ended without an agreement. Spokespeople for the three unions stated that the measures they are demanding, both in terms of budget and safety, were not specified. Semaf, the most militant union in the negotiations, however, clarified that "this Friday's meeting was better focused than the previous one, as it addressed measures regarding safety and maintenance of the railway system, which is Semaf's main demand." Meetings between the ministry and union representatives will continue throughout the weekend.