Starting point in Leon for ex-FEVE train to Bilbao

[ChrisDY10]

Hi folks - I'm taking the ex-FEVE service from Leon to Bilbao next week - the RENFE journey planner says that the service starts from Leon station, but others have mentioned that there is long-term bus replacement between the city centre and Asuncion/Universidad. Does anyone know what the current situation is, and if there is still a bus replacement in place - where does it leave from? As the service is only once per day, I don't want to miss it...

 

[Wandering Pom]

I don't know what the current situation is for certain. However, OpenStreetMap shows the line between Leon (ex FEVE) and Asuncion-Universidad as out of use / under construction, and the European Rail Timetable has a note that that section *may* be operated by bus; I suspect that the bus replacement is still operating. I'd guess that the bus runs from Leon ex-FEVE station, not Leon RENFE station. Also, it's only 2km, in a fairly straight line, from Leon ex-FEVE to Asuncion-Universidad. On that basis I suggest:
- either, turn up at Leon FEVE in good time (at least an hour early?) to see whether there's any information available there. If so, work it out from there.
- otherwise, head to Asuncion-Universidad, and catch the train there.

It's a highly scenic line, so you definitely don't want to miss it!

 

[HS2isgood]

There's a bus between León-Matallana station (the León station in the narrow gauge line, not the one in the mainlines) and La Asunción station near the university. It's operated by Renfe and the train waits for it. Trains from/to Bilbao have the buses operate direct between León and La Asunción, trains from/to Matallana/Cistierna/Guardo Halt have their buses call at Ventas-Hospitales and San Mamés, as the trains they've been substituting.

There's no indication when train service will be reinstated, even though there's a timid opening being talked about, with tram signalling being tested on some DMUs.

 

[ChrisDY10]

There's a bus between León-Matallana station (the León station in the narrow gauge line, not the one in the mainlines) and La Asunción station near the university. It's operated by Renfe and the train waits for it. Trains from/to Bilbao have the buses operate direct between León and La Asunción, trains from/to Matallana/Cistierna/Guardo Halt have their buses call at Ventas-Hospitales and San Mamés, as the trains they've been substituting.

There's no indication when train service will be reinstated, even though there's a timid opening being talked about, with tram signalling being tested on some

Thanks very much for that information. Don't suppose you know if you can still buy tickets at Matallana station? I'll be arriving at the Renfe station from Oviedo at around 1245 so have an hour to m make the connection, which will hopefully be enough...

 

[HS2isgood]

Thanks very much for that information. Don't suppose you know if you can still buy tickets at Matallana station? I'll be arriving at the Renfe station from Oviedo at around 1245 so have an hour to m make the connection, which will hopefully be enough...

I'm not sure

 

[peteb]

Thanks very much for that information. Don't suppose you know if you can still buy tickets at Matallana station? I'll be arriving at the Renfe station from Oviedo at around 1245 so have an hour to m make the connection, which will hopefully be enough...

It's a fair walk between the two stations. When you ascend from the depths of the new RENFE station there are taxis straight ahead (to the side of the cafe). I'd take one rather than do the 3/4 mile walk. I was there in late February. The bus service was signposted at the FEVE station. Can't recall if the ticket office was open or not. There's renovations going on. You could walk into the station building and onto the (currently) out of use platform to view the tramline works. I guess the ticket office was open otherwise the building would have been locked. It's a nice building set behind an avenue of trees.

 

[nwales58]

Bus 9 from bus station at railway station goes all the way to Asuncion, stop is Mariano Andres 204 but half-hourly. Footbridge across the river from the station to the 1 which is faster and every 20 minutes. City buses are alesa-alsa.com

1300 bus should be in plenty of time for 1355 from Asuncion or fallback.