Barcelona's public transport operator, TMB, and the City Council have announced the largest-ever metro service reinforcement and significant bus route alterations for this year's Sant Jordi day on 23 April. These comprehensive measures are designed to manage the expected surge in passengers and accommodate extensive pedestrian zones across the city during one of Catalonia's most celebrated annual events. ## Record Metro Service for Sant Jordi TMB detailed that the metro will operate with up to 138 trains on conventional lines, marking a record number for Sant Jordi day. This reinforcement includes the deployment of 29 additional trains during the afternoon off-peak hours compared to a regular working day. According to a joint statement from TMB and the City Council, this represents a substantial increase: a 42% rise on L1, a 32% increase on L3, and a 25% increase on L5. by 9pm, 31% more trains will still be running than usual, ensuring continued high capacity into the evening. Beyond the additional trains, TMB also confirmed an increase in staff dedicated to customer service, security, and cleaning at stations where a higher number of users is anticipated, aiming to improve passenger flow and safety. Laia Bonet, President of TMB, emphasised the metro's importance for city mobility during Sant Jordi day. She stated, "it is key for the city's mobility during Sant Jordi day, which is why TMB will further reinforce the service with more trains and more professionals." TMB expects a "particularly crowded day for public transport," with passenger numbers potentially approaching the historic record of 2,601,062 validations registered during Sant Jordi in 2025. This anticipation underscores the need for the enhanced service. ## Extensive Bus Route Alterations The widespread presence of book and rose stalls, alongside various organised street activities, will directly affect Barcelona's bus service, leading to numerous diversions across different districts. In the Nou Barris district, traffic will be prohibited on Rambla de Fabra i Puig, specifically between Avinguda Meridiana and Plaça Virrei Amat, from 7am to 10pm. This extensive closure will necessitate diversions for several bus lines, including D40, D50, H6, V27, V29, 34, 47, 122, and 134, impacting local travel. A similar traffic interruption will occur in the Sants district, where movement between Carrer de la Creu Coberta and Carrer de Sants will be halted. This closure, extending between Plaça d'Espanya and Rambla de Badal, will impact bus lines D20, V5, 52, and 115, affecting connections in that area. ## Central Pedestrian Zones The most significant impact on bus services will stem from a large pedestrian zone established by the City Council to allow residents and visitors to enjoy Sant Jordi celebrations freely. This extensive area spans between Avinguda Diagonal and Gran Via, and between Carrers de Balmes and de Pau Claris, creating a substantial car-free zone in the city centre. The pedestrianisation also extends into Ciutat Vella, covering the area from Portal de l'Àngel to Avinguda de la Catedral, and into Gràcia, from Pla de Salmerón to Carrer d'Astúries. This substantial surface area will require modifications to the routes of bus lines H10, V15, V17, 7, 19, 22, 24, 52, 54, 67, 114, and both the red and blue routes of the Barcelona Bus Turístic, affecting a wide range of services. Due to these extensive changes and anticipated high demand on public transport, the Barcelona City Council advises all residents and visitors to plan their journeys in advance. They recommend checking official TMB channels for the latest information on public transport services and route modifications to ensure smooth travel and minimise disruption on Sant Jordi day.