After nine months of restrictions, Metro Valencia is resuming its night service this weekend. This marks a crucial step in the reconstruction process following the devastating DANA floods of October 29, 2024. The southern section of the rail network, where the workshops and headquarters of the regional public company are located, was particularly affected.
Return to Normalcy: Fridays, Saturdays, and Eve of Public Holidays Until 3 AM
Starting this Friday, services for Fridays, Saturdays, and the eve of public holidays will be reactivated, allowing trains and trams to run until almost 3:00 AM. The Generalitat considers this “another step” towards full recovery after the tragic events.
Impressive User Numbers After Reopening
Vicente Martínez Mus, Minister of Environment, Infrastructure, and Territory, announced the good news on Monday. He also presented a positive balance of the first month after the reopening of the most affected València Sud-Castelló section. Since then, an impressive 400,000 users have utilized lines 1, 2, and 7 on this section and its 20 stations in the regions of l’Horta Sud and La Ribera. Martínez Mus emphasized that “the great efforts have made it possible to restore a fundamental service for the mobility of thousands of people, who improve their daily living conditions with this service.”
“And from August 1st, we are taking another step forward and returning with the night service on Fridays, Saturdays, and the eve of public holidays in Metrovalencia, with circulation until approximately 3:00 AM,” he added. Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) has been able to restore these extended operating hours since June 27, once traffic on the entire network was re-established.
Monument of Resilience: The Future Viewpoint in Paiporta
Together with the mayor of Paiporta, Vicent Ciscar, the minister visited the Future Viewpoint commemorating the floods of October 29. This viewpoint is located next to the access to the railway viaduct at the exit of Paiporta station of Metrovalencia, overlooking the Poyo Gorge. The viewpoint was set up as part of the emergency works carried out in the municipality to restore subway operations. It is a “symbol of remembrance, resilience, and respect” that serves not only as an urban viewpoint but also as a symbolic monument to this climatic event and its consequences.
The viewpoint features a concrete bench located 2.4 meters from the edge of the abutment of the old pedestrian walkway, representing the year 2024. The same concrete bench has a length of 10.29 meters, referencing October 29.
FGV has invested five million euros in the renovation of the Paiporta and Picanya stations, which were destroyed by the water, necessitating the demolition of the original buildings. The reconstruction allowed for the creation of more comfortable and accessible facilities within just three months, while the platforms and the entire railway infrastructure were rebuilt. The final works are expected to be completed by mid-September after a contract extension.
Long-Term Reconstruction: Paiporta Looks Ahead
The mayor of Paiporta, Vicent Ciscar, stressed that the “catastrophe” in his municipality was so severe that the city council expects a long-term recovery: “We are talking about several years,” he said. Nevertheless, he is optimistic about the future and expects visible progress in buildings, the auditorium, or the museum within a year. The most immediate challenge remains the complete restoration of the sewage system.
