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 service was halted last night between Martorell and L'Hospitalet due to a landslide at construction work on the Sant Feliu de Llobregat underground railway—Carmona avoided setting a date for its resumption: "As soon as Adif finishes the service."

Meanwhile, this Friday, the Secretary of State for Transport, José Antonio Santano, confirmed that more commuter rail lines will reopen next week, specifically mentioning the R13, R14, and RL4. The high-ranking official from the Spanish Ministry explained to La 2 Cat that the entire network will be "practically" operational within two weeks and that all temporary speed restrictions will be lifted by April, with plans to phase them out "progressively."

Regarding the railway sector strike planned for next week, from February 9th to 11th, the major unions – CCOO, UGT, and Semaf – have decided to maintain the strike call. They announced this decision after their third meeting with the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, ended without an agreement. Spokespeople for the three unions confirmed that the measures they were demanding, both in terms of budget and security, were not implemented. However, meetings between the ministry and union representatives will continue throughout the weekend.