The last driver of the Blue Tram: "I tried so that that journey would never end"

BarcelonaSeeing him caress the lever that activates the mechanism to start the Blue Tram, it might seem that time has not passed. Lauren Quer was the driver of the last trip of this iconic transport on January 28, 2018. "I tried to make that trip never end," he recalls more than eight years later in a conversation with ARA. He does so from the cabin of that vehicle, which this weekend symbolically steps onto the city's streets again, but which continues to await its definitive return.

Quer's life is inseparable from that of the Blue Tram. For 22 years, he traveled daily the route between Kennedy and Doctor Andreu squares. Little more than a kilometer where, however, every possible story could fit. On the noble wooden benches of these vehicles, Quer met countless people. Also his wife, who after a first trip with him returned often to see him until they ended up starting a family.

His children were born almost nine months after that last trip. They are part of the generation of Barcelonians who have never seen the Blue Tram in operation. Many, however, were queuing this Saturday to be able to board a transport that has not lost its label as a city emblem. Throughout today and also this Sunday, it will be possible to visit. Now that the detractors of the tram along the Diagonal are reappearing, it is curious to note that its blue brother on Tibidabo Avenue does indeed generate unanimity.

Hearing Lauren Quer speak about it with passion, it is easy to understand the popularity of these magnificent trams. He highlights the smell, "a mixture of old wood and grease". And, above all, its blue. "It is beautiful, gorgeous. A unique color", he states. He walks inside the tram as if he had to validate the tickets one more time. He caresses the wooden benches, the vintage lamps, the windows, the little bell. The secret drawer behind the driver. The sign that reminds that spitting is prohibited.

In addition to his wife, Quer met many more people while driving the tram. Also some celebrities, who wanted to ride this icon of the city. With a knowing smile, he lists some of the notable names. Mel Gibson, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Ariadna Gil, Chenoa... But the one that thrilled him the most was Johan Cruyff, who came one day with his son and, upon getting off, signed a tram ticket that Quer still keeps in his private museum.

But during the 22 years he drove the Blue Tram, Quer made especially the youngest fans of the tram happy. He delighted them by gifting them a handful of the sand that was under the tram seats for when it rained and it was necessary to drop a little onto the rail to improve traction. On the last trip, there were also many children.

Mechanics who are luthiers

Fernando Reyero was also there that day at the end of January 2018. He closed the workshop door for the last time, leaving the last vehicle inside. "It was very hard, emotional," he says, recalling that many neighbors gathered outside to say a final goodbye to the Tramvia Blau. Reyero is one of the lucky few who has continued to see the tram practically every day. He works at the Central Square depots, which can also be visited next weekend.

Even though the trams that Reyero repairs have not been in circulation for more than eight years, he champions the work that is done in the workshops. "You have to be meticulous and apply a lot of preventive mechanics," he says. And he also speaks of the care with which all the materials of the blue tram must be treated, as they are especially delicate. "You are almost more of a luthier than a mechanic," he summarizes. In recent weeks, Reyero and his colleague have worked hard so that the Tramvia Blau could return to leave the workshop this Saturday and Sunday.

Quer still gets emotional when he remembers that last trip. That day he dressed in his Sunday best. "It was the only day I wore a blazer," he recalls. With the closing of the tram, he retrained as a bus driver. Now he is in charge of the H4 line, which passes very close to the starting stop of the Tramvia Blau that he drove for 22 years and which, he trusts, he will soon be able to see running again.