Every night, 150 workers at the Zona Franca bus depot in Barcelona prepare 532 vehicles for the next day's service, a process that includes cleaning, refuelling, and maintenance. This 'invisible work' ensures that one in three public transport users can rely on the city's bus network.
The Zona Franca depot, the largest of TMB's three facilities in Barcelona, houses buses serving the city's southern area. It features four separate parking zones and two workshops. Buses start arriving from 7pm, with peak activity between 10pm and 11pm, as over 100 vehicles return after their shifts.
Once a bus arrives at the depot, the driver of the last shift hands it over to a manoeuvre driver. These drivers then guide the buses through a series of stations where they are cleaned inside, refuelled or recharged, and given an exterior wash in a tunnel. The Zona Franca depot exclusively handles gas, hydrogen, or electric buses.
Nightly Operations and Maintenance
Beyond daily preparations, buses undergo basic mechanical maintenance and repairs for any breakdowns. Current buses have a maximum lifespan of 12 to 14 years and must pass a technical inspection (ITV) every six months. Unlike private vehicles, technicians travel to the depots to conduct these inspections.
Laia Bonet, President of TMB and First Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council, highlighted the importance of these operations. "When night arrives, the buses continue working," Bonet said. "They arrive when their shift ends and carry out a series of tasks that are essential so that the next day, when the day begins and service starts again, the bus is prepared."
All preparation work is typically completed by 3am. The buses then rest briefly before starting their routes across Barcelona's streets again at 4:30am.
