The passage of weeks has revealed the damage caused DANA caused in the rail networks of the Metrovalencia service in the areas most affected by the storm. In addition, it has already made it possible to establish deadlines and dates for undertaking its recovery.
According to the director of railways of the Generalitat Valenciana (FGV), Alphonse Novo during an interview at In Puntthe northern lines can be reactivated at the beginning of December, while those in the south will have to wait “four or five months”.
Novo recalled in the interview that the flood made the command post, where all operation of the metro lines is controlled, unusable.
This is the “nerve center” of the Metrovalencia service, located at the base of Valencia Southwhich was destroyed because of the DANA of October 29, will be “replicated”, if only to a “minimal degree”, in Machado facilities.
In this way, the objective is to create a mechanism that allows “react quickly and accordingly“in case of weather or other emergency.
“Without this you cannot control the operation, catenaries, electrical installations, security systems, passenger communications, that is, it is absolutely It is essential that we get it back“, recalled the leader.
Furthermore, he stressed that the command post “will once again be the nerve center of the FGV”, but added that the public company “take advantage of technology“have another” minimum command post to react quickly and accordingly. The intention, he continued, is “.start it these days“.
Concerning the resumption of service, Novo specified, measures are being taken in the lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9, which are those that will reach San Isidro and all the lines that go north, that is, towards Llíria, Bétera and the airport.
Regarding this part of the network, the spokesperson estimated that it is progressing “at a good pace” and anticipates that, if all goes well, “early December These lines going north may be working. »
southern lines
Concerning the reconstruction of the southern lines of the railway network, Novo recalled that there was damage from Paiporta to Castle. “There Recovery will take longer because these lines are destroyed“, about four or five months, admitted the manager.
In a press release, FGV announces that it will be able to begin traffic tests of the metro lines next week.
The start of this process, which will last several days, will determine the date on which trains can resume circulation with all safety guarantees on lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9 of Metrovalencia.
Here second phase of the plan announced by the Department of the Environment, Infrastructure and Territory, the objective is recover metro service at the beginning of December.
With a view to finalizing the recovery plan, in a third phase, now in 2025the setting would remain serving the section between Valencia South And Castlereaffirms the press release.
Recovery plan
As an alternative to the Metrovalencia network, and until the service is restored, the Generalitat has allowed 20 new bus lanes to facilitate connectivity of the different neighborhoods and towns near Valencia and guarantee the mobility of citizens.
The new services enabled by the Department of the Environment, Infrastructure and Territory in collaboration with the ATMV will be expanded in the coming days. These lines connect the stopping points of Valencia or EMT, Cercanías and the existing Metrobús lines.
To know the updated status of public transport in the metropolitan area of Valencia, the Generalitat has allowed the Metrovalencia website a map to know the status of the network and alternative bus services which will be updated periodically.
