Overview
- The Sindicato Español de Maquinistas Ferroviarios (SEMAF) has called a 24-hour national strike of Renfe train drivers to demand binding safety protocols, clearer emergency communications and more hirings.
- The national Ministry issued precise minimum-service levels that cover high-speed and long-distance at about 73%, medium-distance at 65%, Cercanías at 75% in peak hours and 50% off-peak, and freight at 26%.
- The Generalitat de Catalunya set separate minimums for Rodalies and Regionals at 66% in peak hours and 33% off-peak and allowed operators to distribute those percentages according to service needs without exceeding the totals.
- Renfe says it will operate the mandated minimum services, rejects parts of SEMAF’s demands as outside the operator’s legal remit, and points to more than 1,200 hires and strengthened maintenance since earlier safety accords.
- Passengers are warned of likely disruption despite guaranteed baselines and the dispute could prompt either new legally binding safety rules or clearer division of duties between Renfe and regulators.