Valencia’s Metro returns to the DANA affected area after months of interruption. Eight months after the devastating floods caused widespread damage to Valencia Metro’s infrastructure, the subway service is now fully operational again in the so-called “Ground Zero” of the DANA in southern Valencia. Punctually at 05:22 AM this Friday, the first train departed, initiating a day of technical adjustments and operational challenges.
The return of the metro was eagerly awaited. According to users, the resumption of service was “much needed,” underscoring the importance of this mode of transport for the region. More than 500 employees were involved in repairing the extensive damage. Approximately 50 kilometers of tracks and 20 stations on the València Sud-Castelló section in the l’Horta Sud and La Ribera regions were severely affected by the floods on October 29.
Normalization of Operations and Future Plans
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGV) confirmed that subway service on the lines serving the València Sud-Castelló section of Metrovalencia is now running normally. All 20 stations and stops are operational. Although traffic is generally on schedule, FGV points out that this first day after the extensive repairs should be considered a phase of technical and operational adjustment.
With the resumption of metro service, the alternative bus service has also ended. This service transported an impressive 4.3 million passengers over the past eight months, serving as a crucial temporary solution. The shuttle buses, which served stops in València Sud and Safranar, ceased operations with the commissioning of Metro lines 1, 2, and 7 this Friday.
Extensive Investments and Night Service in Sight
The reconstruction work presented immense financial and logistical challenges. The Minister for Environment, Infrastructure and Territory, Vicente Martínez Mus, announced yesterday that the cost of restoring the metro infrastructure is approximately 140 million Euros.
It is expected that night service on the metro and tram lines will be fully restored from August, under the same conditions as before October 29, 2024. This includes operations on Friday and Saturday nights, representing another significant normalization for commuters and residents of Valencia.
