Spanish rail operator Renfe on Tuesday detailed its transportation plan for the coming days after the network suffered a "structural" failure due to copper theft on Sunday.
The R1 line of the Rodalies commuter train service resumed normal service to Hospitalet on Tuesday.
The R4 North will resume its connection with Barcelona and there will be two trains per hour in each direction between Hospitalet and Manresa.
The R4 South will have four trains per hour in each direction between Hospitalet and Sant Civenç de Calders.
On the R3, the most affected line, trains will only operate between Puigcerdà and Ripollet, and Renfe will "try to reinforce" alternative bus services.
The R7 remains without service and travelers can take the R4 to Cerdanyola and then take a bus to the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).
The R12 regional line only operates between Lleida and Calaf, and there are alternative buses between Calaf and Manresa, where users can take the R4.
The R8, R2 and the regional trains of the south operate as usual.
The R13 and R14 lines from Lleida and Borges Blanques were disrupted on Tuesday morning due to a new copper theft, as confirmed by Renfe and Adif.
Although the theft occurred in the early hours of the night, the service was operating normally by 8.30 am.
The disruption of the R3 line, which connects L'Hospitalet de Llobregat and Puigcerdà via Vic, has left thousands of people without their daily commute.
"We are angry and outraged," says Bernat Camps, a member of the local public transport activist group 'Perquè no ens fotin el tren'.
"The service in all the Rodalies network is now practically normalized, except in the R3. We feel that we are always the last and the most disadvantaged".
The R3 line is the most affected by the copper theft and trains only operate between Puigcerdà and Montcada Ripollet with two trains per hour and direction.
Many users who normally use the R4 line, which connects Vilafranca del Penedès and Manresa through Barcelona and its metropolitan area, have been forced to find alternative routes.
The line is currently operational, but there are only two trains per hour in each direction in the southern section of the line, and four trains in the northern section.
"Two trains an hour is totally insufficient," user Rafael Ibero told the Catalan News Agency (ACN).
Ibero, who lives in Barberà del Vallès, drove his own car to Bellaterra, where he took the Ferrocarrils (FGC) commuter train to Barcelona's Plaça Catalunya.
"Until there are clearer conditions from Renfe, I will continue to use this," he said.
The Vallès line of the FGC, which is owned and operated by the Catalan government, saw a 5% increase in passengers on Monday.
The section of the railway where the copper theft happened on Sunday had no security cameras, according to the director of the Mossos d'Esquadra, Pere Ferrer.
Ferrer has criticized the railway operator Adif for not securing the area better, as it is an "extremely important part of the Catalan railway infrastructure".
Since the incident, the Mossos and Adif have been blaming each other over who is responsible for the security of the tracks.
Antonio Carmona, the director of Renfe, said on Monday that the security of the rail network was the responsibility of the Mossos.
"I feel powerless: I ask the Mossos to put an end to the scourge of copper theft," he said on RAC1 radio.
The director of the Catalan police Pere Ferrer claimed that Adif was primarily responsible because it was the company that owned the copper.
"If the infrastructure is not protected, it provides easier opportunities for thieves," he said.
Spanish transport minister Óscar Puente quickly came to Adif's defense:
"Mossos reached a conclusion without even entering the tunnels where the fires occurred: "We rule out sabotage," they said. I applaud their knowledge, but we cannot rule it out," he said.
Catalonia is the region in Spain with the highest number of copper thefts on railway lines. In the first quarter of the year, 46 incidents were recorded, 32 of them in Barcelona alone.
Most of the copper thefts occur on the Rodalies lines. Last year, 240 copper thefts occurred on the Rodalies lines, while 16 occurred on FGC lines.
Although the total number of kilometers of Rodalies lines is much greater than that of FGC, the Spanish state-owned lines have 184 incidents per 1,000 kilometers, while the Catalan lines have 29 incidents per 1,000 kilometers.
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Premier Tech announces today the acquisition of Aquatreat
by its Water and Environment business group
marking another step in its European expansion strategy
This acquisition allows Premier Tech Water and Environment to broaden its client solutions commercial offer, strengthen its footprint in Northern Spain and amplify the development of its services network across the continent
It follows on from the purchase of a 40 000 m2 plot of land in 2023 in Amposta
which will eventually allow Premier Tech to build a plant to support its operations
— This acquisition allows us to: broaden our client solutions commercial offer, strengthen our footprint in Northern Spain and amplify the development of our services network across the continent. —
The acquisition of Aquatreat is part of Premier Tech’s long-term vision for the Iberian growth
strengthening its foothold and proximity with the Spanish market
“The integration of Aquatreat to our business group will extend our Spanish footprint and services offer
supported by our team’s skill set and expertise
It is part of Premier Tech’s ongoing commitment to developing new markets and meeting the specific local needs of its clients,” says Fernando Carreira
managing director of Premier Tech Water and Environment Spain
Backed by a 30-year expertise in the urban and industrial wastewater treatment
Aquatreat joins the Premier Tech Team to offer local high-quality services to its clients
“The integration of Aquatreat to a world-class leader such as Premier Tech is a great opportunity to leap forward
keep offering top-quality wastewater treatment solutions and consolidate a strong clients-centered team,” says Pablo Garcia
AFOCER members portray the vitality of inclusive dance in the workshops and festivals of the AME Moviment Expressió and Liant la Troca associations
From April 1 to May 31, the General Communication Library and Newspaper Archives hosts the exhibition “Let’s Dance!!”, a collective exhibition of photographs on inclusive/integrated dance lent by AFOCER (Agrupació Foto-Cine Cerdanyola-Ripollet)
During 2024, AFOCER members photographed and recorded the workshops, shows, festivals and other activities of two entities that promote inclusive dance: AME Moviment Expressió and Liant la Troca.
Through photography and video, photographers want to contribute their bit to improve visibility, change perception and open their eyes to a little-known and even less recognized reality.
“We hope that this exhibition can serve as a starting point and a recognition for the associations that work tirelessly to give more visibility to inclusive/integrated dance, thus contributing to its normalization and full integration into society.”
With photographs by: Jordi Blasco, Rafel Gerona, Diego González, Jesús Isanta, Maria Jovell, Pere López, Rosa Maria Navarro, Jordi Prades, Ricard Sancho, Vicenç Semper and Elodia Serrano.
Visit the exhibition on the ground floor of the library!
The UAB is a young, public and groundbreaking university. A leader in international rankings and a benchmark in research. Barcelonian, Catalan and international. A transformative, supportive, diverse and egalitarian, sustainable and healthy, participative and cultural university. And a campus university, with its faculties and schools, research institutes and services all within a natural environment that offers a variety of unique experiences.
© 2025 Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
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This cooperative was set up at the end of the Franco era to defend the workers. Today it has seven offices and more than 80 members defending the underdog in court, be they victims of asbestos or of bank abuse. Their legal crusades target the new exclusions, the growing precariousness in employment and the decline in rights and freedoms.
Talking to them about the profound changes that have occurred in the music industry in the last twenty years, they don’t relate to it. Born in the eighties, Pau Vallvé, Clara Peya and Maria Arnal have no links to that old world whatsoever.
A conscious diet for a healthy life: this is the principle that guides these three nutritionists. Marc Vergés, Marta Castells and Consol Rodríguez suffered from chronic illnesses or conditions which they were able to reverse through dietary changes.
Barcelona’s traditions as well as its prestigious schools and university centres make it an attractive location for designers. Modernity attracts modernity, although the business apparatus must be able to consolidate them. A combination of insecurity and incentives is leading to the redefinition of the profession, as shown by Alex Trochut, Marta Altés and Ariadna Serrahima.
To transform the economy so that society changes: this is the goal of hundreds of examples of social economy, born and raised here in Catalonia. We take a look at three of them.
Pescatarianism (vegetarianism plus fish), traditional bread baking with an innovative edge, strictly organic country produce… these are some of the options expanding gastronomic horizons in Barcelona and its area.
Josep Carner, Galyn Norwood and Jordi Sánchez Forés are three of the eighteen students from Barcelona that took part in a project by the CERN European Laboratory for Particle Physics to develop new products based on scientific discovery.
Creating a video game is a collective endeavour where every member of the development team adds something from their own personal perspective. Andreu Taberner, Rubèn Farrús and Kevin Cerdà are three video game authors who have demonstrated their talent through their work and thus gained worldwide recognition.
ACN
The police operation represents the final phase of an investigation conducted by Central Court 6 of the Spanish National High Court. During the operation, specialized squads of the Mossos d’Esquadra carried out 12 raids and arrested 9 individuals. Three of the arrested individuals are suspected to have connections with the authors of the terrorist attacks at Brussels’ metro and airport.
The Catalan Minister of Home Affairs, Jordi Jané, confirmed the confiscation of a large amount of money, drugs, and firearms as well as digital information, which still has to be analyzed. According to Jané there is no evidence so far that the arrested individuals were planning an attack in Catalonia but he added that it cannot be ruled out. The minister highlighted the successful collaboration between the Catalan police force (Mossos d’Esquadra), the Belgian police, and the Spanish police.
Of the arrested individuals 8 are from Morocco and one from Spain. Even though not all of them are charged with the same crimes, they are all charged with a at least five: ties with or belonging to terrorist groups, ties with or belonging to organized crime groups related to illegal drug trade, illegal possession of firearms, money laundering, and misappropriation. Most of the 9 arrested suspects have been residents in Catalonia for more than 20 years.
Tuesday’s anti-jihadist operation was coordinated with the Belgian police within the EU program Eurojust, according to the Catalan police forces who informed the Audiencia Nacional, which is the leading investigator. A joint investigation team of Belgian and Catalan police forces was created immediately. Over the last few months they had been exchanging information and finally determined the direct connection of the arrested individuals with jihadist terrorism.
On the other hand the scope of the investigation also required the collaboration between the Mossos d’Esquadra and the CNI, the Spanish National Intelligence Center, in order to inform the latter about the development of the investigations, exchange information, and coordinate with Spanish police forces. This Tuesday morning Spanish and Belgian Federal Police agents also participated in the operation. There were also raids in Morocco.
We explain the alternative mobility plan activated to alleviate the chaos in Rodalies caused by a new copper theft
working Monday dawned in similar conditions
Barcelona City Council and Mossos met yesterday afternoon to assess the situation and present an alternative mobility plan that allows
so you have to take alternative means of transport to get into the city
TMB has put more subways in circulation than ever before to help move all the new users
such as the R3 and R4 could take up to two months to return to normal
Renfe has launched 22 buses covering the stretch between Montcada station and Sagrera
which the Generalitat de Catalunya considers insufficient
trains are already arriving at the Fabra i Puig stop
when this morning they did not go past Cerdanyola del Vallés
has advanced that the incidents generated by the two small fires that also affected the service this Sunday at the stations of Arco de Triunfo and Clot
could be resolved in a shorter period of time
so the situation will be fixed somewhat faster in the southern section of the city
which have not been able to make the usual route
trains on line R1 do not pass Badalona station and those on R4 at L’Hospitalet de Llobregat
the Catalan Traffic Service (SCT) warns of the possible delays on the main roads of the Catalan capital
Until 07:20 hours of this Monday have been recorded delays of more than 10 kilometers on the A-2 between Sant Joan Despí and Pallejà at the junction with the C-245
There are also three kilometers of slow travel on the AP-7 between Sant Cugat del Vallès and El Papiol
there are also long queues on the B-20 and on the B-20 between Santa Coloma de Gramenet and Barcelona
There are delays of more than six kilometers on the B-23 between Sant Feliu de Llobregat and El Papiol and on the B-24 between Pallejà and Cervelló
After yesterday’s meeting Adig, the Generalitat and the City Council have launched an alternative mobility plan that allows users to move around the city, strongly supported by the bus and metro service, which operates normally.
Thus, for this Monday, May 13, the mobility alternatives in Barcelona are as follows:
► R1/RG1: Circulation from Maçanet-Massanes to Badalona, from where passengers are diverted to the metro.
► R2 South and Regional South: Unaffected.
► R3: Circulation between Puigcerdà and Montcada-Ripollet, with two trains per hour and direction. From Montcada-Ripollet an alternative road service is provided to Sagrera-Meridiana station, where passengers can take the metro.
► R4 North: The trains were scheduled to run until Fabra i Puig and link with the metro, but until before 10 a.m. the trains end the route in Cerdanyola del Vallès, where you have to take the alternative buses to the Ferrocarrils. Three trains per direction and time between Manresa and Cerdanyola have been announced. During rush hour, there is 33% service, while the rest of the day it operates at 50%. Passengers from Manresa, Terrassa and Sabadell are redirected to FGC.
► R4 South: It has been announced that they would run from Sant Vicenç de Calders to L’Hospitalet de Llobregat with four trains per direction with the usual frequency, but some trains may arrive at Sants station.
► R7: It continues without service and passengers can go to Cerdanyola with the R4 and from there there there are buses to the UAB. There is also the Express Bus 3.
► R12: Circulation between Cerdanyola and Lleida.
ACN / Rafa Garrido
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Spain's train manager Renfe forecasts disruptions in the Rodalies commuter train service across Catalonia on Monday after thefts stole copper on Sunday morning
The manager expects disruptions on the R1, R3, R7 lines according to the transport plan negotiated between the Catalan government, Barcelona city council, and Adif -Spain's rail manager' after the issues recorded on Sunday.
R1 trains will only drive until Badalona, where passengers will be diverted to the metro lines.
Meanwhile, the R4 Nord trains will stop at Fabra i Puig train station, and only one out of three trains will be available to reach Manresa during peak hours, and 75% during the rest of the day.
Passengers, in this case, are recommended to take the FGC trains in Manresa, Terrassa, and Sabadell. Also, the R2 rodalies trains in Montcada.
R4 South will only arrive at Hospitalet de Llobregat train station.
R3 will be available between Puigcerdà and Montcada Ripollet, and then buses will be scheduled to reach the Sagrera Meridiana station.
R7 travelers will have to use the R4 line until Cerdanyola and then a bus to reach the UAB university.
Renfe believes the R2, R8 and R11 lines as well as the southern-regional ones, will not suffer any "disruptions."
Barcelona's Plaça de Catalunya and Arc de Triomf train stations will not be accessible on Monday.