Barcelona is grappling with the aftermath of a massive power outage that paralyzed the city and much of Spain on April 28, 2025. The blackout, which lasted for over 12 hours in some areas, led to a complete suspension of Rodalies de Catalunya's train services due to instability in the electrical network, as confirmed by the operator Renfe.
On the morning of April 29, 2025, there was initial hope that train services would resume at 60% capacity. However, shortly after this announcement, the complete suspension of all Rodalies services was confirmed. Antonio Carmona, the director of Rodalies, explained that despite efforts throughout the night to stabilize the network, it was deemed unfeasible to offer any service. "In the moment that some trains were tested, it was verified that electrical stability could not be guaranteed, and we decided to completely suspend the service to avoid situations with trains stopped mid-journey," he stated.
The blackout caught approximately 116 trains in circulation across the country, leaving between 30,000 and 35,000 passengers stranded. Many users found themselves trapped in darkened trains, with emergency services having to evacuate them through tunnels, often relying on the light from their mobile phones. According to reports, some passengers had to walk along the tracks to reach safety.
While Rodalies struggled to restore its services, other forms of public transport in Barcelona began to return to normal. The metro network, which had also been affected by the blackout, resumed operations progressively from the evening of April 28. By April 29, all lines except for L11 were operational, with the rest functioning normally. The Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) also restored its services, particularly on the Llobregat-Anoia and Vallès lines.
In an effort to alleviate the transportation crisis, Rodalies announced that tickets for the entire network would be free on April 28 and 29, 2025, when services are restored. However, no alternative transport options were provided for those needing to travel, as organizing a substitute bus service was deemed unviable.
As the situation unfolded, long queues formed at bus stops throughout the city, with some users waiting up to 60 meters for buses that were already overwhelmed by demand. The bus service continued to operate, but many passengers faced lengthy delays. "I had to walk to Fabra i Puig, then take a bus to Ripollet, and finally transfer to another bus to get here," recounted one commuter, highlighting the chaos and frustration faced by many.
Despite the challenges, the Catalan Traffic Service reported that the road network was returning to normal, although traffic congestion remained significant, particularly at access points to Barcelona. Authorities urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and maintain calm during the disruption.
In the wake of the blackout, the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, convened multiple meetings with the Crisis Committee to address the incident's consequences. The last meeting on April 28 was held at 10:00 PM, with another scheduled for the following morning.
As the city begins to recover from this unprecedented disruption, many residents are left wondering how to navigate the ongoing transportation challenges. The situation remains fluid, with Rodalies yet to provide a timeline for when services will resume. The community is urged to stay informed and prepared as recovery efforts continue.
Overall, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in the electrical infrastructure and the cascading effects such failures can have on daily life. As services gradually return to normal, the focus will shift towards understanding the causes of the outage and ensuring that measures are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
