R3 commuter line begins longest service disruption in recent history today

The R3 line of the Rodalies commuter train network, which runs from Barcelona to the French border through the heart of Catalonia, begins today the most significant service interruption in its recent history.

A crucial section of the line will be suspended for 16 months, until May 2026, between Montcada Bifurcació and La Garriga, in the Vallès Oriental county, one of the line's most sensitive points.

The interruption is due to the doubling of a 17-kilometer single-track section between Parets del Vallès and La Garriga, a highly complex project with an unprecedented level of disruption, unlike anything seen in recent years.

The works will be carried out in two phases: the first covering the entire line from Barcelona to La Garriga, and the second limited to the section between Mollet and La Garriga.

Since construction was already planned, Rodalies has also taken the opportunity to renovate Montcada Bifurcació station.

Despite the disruption, the work is essential, as it addresses one of the line's main weaknesses. Currently, trains run in both directions on a single track, meaning that even a minor incident can block the entire line.

Rodalies estimates that around 21,500 commuters will be affected daily and has launched an alternative transport plan, with 58 buses covering the same route. There will be 43,500 available bus seats each day between Barcelona, La Garriga, Centelles, and Vic.

There will be a direct bus from Vic to Barcelona-Fabra i Puig every 15 minutes from 6 am to 10 pm, as well as connections from Centelles and La Garriga to Barcelona, with buses every 30 and 60 minutes respectively.

Renfe has also deployed ninety staff members to inform passengers about the works and alternative transport options.

However, the cut has been poorly received by users, who consider the interruption "too long," especially after a period of worsening service in recent months.

One of the main concerns among passengers is the bus replacement service, which they describe as "insufficient" and poorly planned.

"The experience of previous closures does not inspire optimism," says Daniel Pi, spokesperson for the Promotion of Public Transport platform.

The platform criticizes the replacement bus service as inadequate. "It leaves us with half the frequency we usually have by train. Where there used to be a train every half hour, now there's a bus every hour. During peak times, that means we’ll need two or three buses," he explains.

Marc Janeras, spokesperson for the platform Perquè no ens fotin el tren ("So they do not rob us the train"), calls it "frustrating to have to fight over basic things," such as missing train frequencies in the bus replacement.

"What we demand is obvious and should come from Rodalies, not from us," he says. "They do not put the user or the service at the center," he adds.

During the first morning, many have said that the service works "reasonably well," despite some incidents and trains being stopped for 45 minutes between La Garriga and Manlleu due to an issue with the signaling system in Vic station.

Users asked for more buses to Barcelona, from La Garriga, as at the moment there is only one bus every hour.

When arriving to Barcelona's Fabra i Puig train station, many travelers said that the bus option is much better than the train.

Renfe spokesperson Antonio Carmona said that the alternative service worked "reasonably well" and said that there are 90 people assisting customers. 

When asked about the requests to increase frequency between La Garriga and Barcelona, Carmona said that the service will be "adapted to the needs of travelers."

Catalan territory minister Sílvia Paneque said that it "is fair for users to have an alternative bus route, as they used to do with the train before the interruption started."