Catalan government defends rail service management during solar eclipse

The Catalan Government is defending the management of the Rodalies rail service during the August 12 solar eclipse. Despite reports that the director, Òscar Playà, was on vacation, the Department of Territory claims he “maintained contact with operational managers and participated in decision-making” to oversee the service.

Authorities stated that the railway device was prepared in advance, including increased capacity on lines R15 and R16 and special return trains. However, a signaling issue near Castelldefels and high passenger concentration led to overcrowding that the system “could not adequately absorb.” This triggered a Ferrocat pre-alert and required coordination with Mossos d'Esquadra to regulate access to Tarragona station.

Critics and observers, including the Mare Terra Fundació Mediterrània, have highlighted the chaos following the event, noting significant traffic delays on the AP-7 and the overcrowding of Tarragona station. Experts argue the situation reveals a lack of strategic mobility planning for exceptional events, noting that public transport collapses disproportionately affect those without private vehicles.