Train drivers reflect on the impacts of the Gelida tragedy, citing persistent maintenance issues as the root cause of ongoing crises in the Rodalies train service.
A month after the tragic train accident in Gelida, which involved a train hitting a concrete wall after a severe storm affected the region, train drivers are voicing their ongoing concerns about safety and maintenance. They emphasize that the crisis facing Rodalies services is primarily due to long-standing maintenance neglect, rather than solely weather-related factors. Experts, including engineers and geologists, support this claim, highlighting the systemic issues that have led to repeated incidents and erosion of safety standards.
On January 20, the R4 line train departed from Sant Vicenç de Calders with four crew members on board, including Fernando Huerta, a young trainee from Seville. The train had just left Sant Sadurní d’Anoia when the driver lost control; within minutes, it crashed into a tilted concrete wall caused by harsh weather conditions. The incident has not only raised alarms about immediate safety concerns but also brought to light the troubling state of infrastructure management within the Rodalies network. Workers express a sense of urgency to rectify these issues before another tragedy occurs.
As the investigation continues, the focus is on how to improve conditions for train operators and enhance overall passenger safety. The call for better maintenance practices is becoming increasingly prominent, with rail staff demanding reforms and accountability from the operators. The sentiments captured in the drivers' statements reflect a deep-rooted fear and a hope for change in the aftermath of this devastating event, as they argue that the industry has yet to confront the extent of its failures.
