Passengers on line 573 of the Bus Parc del Montseny are no longer allowed to travel standing following the serious accident on the BV-5114 road. The route connects Sant Celoni with Santa Fe on weekends and public holidays.
Since this weekend, two smaller coaches with capacity for 47 seated passengers each have operated simultaneously on the route. The measure preserves the existing timetable while increasing the available seating capacity to 94 passengers per service, compared with the 65 seats previously offered by a single bus.
Territori has described the changes as exceptional measures. They will remain in place at least until the investigation into the accident is completed. The department, which is responsible for the service operated under concession by Sagalés, will then assess what permanent measures may be required and whether the ban on standing should be extended to other routes.
The accident took place on the afternoon of October 25, when a bus left the road and fell approximately 10 metres. The vehicle had 87 passengers despite having 65 seats. No one was killed, but 83 people, including children, were injured and 37 required hospital treatment; eight of the injured were seriously hurt.
The crash has renewed discussion about whether standing should be prohibited on buses travelling on interurban roads, including motorways and dual carriageways, as well as on winding roads such as those in the Montseny. The current rules allow standing on journeys shorter than 50 kilometres, and Interior Minister Núria Parlon has indicated that the regulation could be reconsidered.
While the technical assessment continues, passengers on line 573 must travel seated. The service nevertheless operated normally this weekend as the Montseny natural park sought to restore regular activity.
Sources: La Vanguardia.