The metro service in Valencia is gradually moving towards a full restart following its closure due to severe flooding from the DANA storm on October 29.
Tram lines are set to resume operations tomorrow, Saturday, November 9, as announced by Vicente Martínez Mus, the Minister of Environment, Infrastructure, and Territory. Lines 4, 6, 8, and 10 will be the first to return, providing a crucial boost to the city’s transportation network as recovery efforts continue.
While tram services will be restored soon, the timeline for reopening the metro lines remains uncertain.
Minister Mus indicated that a partial restoration of the metro could be achieved within the next month, reaching at least the Sant Isidre station. However, areas further south, such as Paiporta, Picanya, Torrent, and Carlet, are expected to take longer to reopen due to more extensive infrastructure damage.
The potential return of metro services will be a great relief for Valencia and its metropolitan area, as residents have faced long commutes and delays during peak hours since the disruption.
Restoring full service may take some time, as the command center for the Metrovalencia system, located in València Sud near Paiporta, sustained significant damage from the recent flooding of the Barranco del Poyo.
The command center, which is essential for managing metro operations, houses the workshops, material depots, and operational control systems, all of which were affected when floodwaters inundated the ground floor of the complex.
Fortunately, tram lines 4, 6, 8, and 10 are not directly connected to the damaged command center, allowing for their earlier return to operation.
Metro lines 1, 3, and 5, however, rely on the València Sud facilities and will take longer to resume service. Metrovalencia is currently working to transfer metro management to alternative stations, including Naranjos, Alacant, and Machado. In the meantime, two pilot control stations have been established at these locations to facilitate limited metro operations.
As repairs continue, Valencia’s regional ministry will maintain 18 bus lines that were introduced to provide an alternative to the disrupted metro services. These buses are helping to bridge connections between southern municipalities and the València Sud area, mimicking the Metrovalencia route to ensure residents have access to essential travel options.
While a full return to metro operations will take time, the restoration of tram services marks an important first step in Valencia’s path to regaining normal transit services. As the countdown to complete recovery progresses, residents can look forward to gradual improvements in transportation across the city.
