OMM Newsroom
The Spanish government approved a package of railway safety measures on Tuesday after train drivers went on strike. The drivers are demanding more funding for maintenance following the country’s second deadly train crash this year. The measures give workers better channels to raise safety concerns and expand their authority to stop a train or prevent it from resuming service when a risk is identified, AnewZ reports.
The government has also created an ombudsman post for victims of public transport accidents. The train drivers’ union Semaf described the measures as a “real change in the government’s position” and called off a strike planned for November 12. The union rescheduled it for November 23. Another strike planned for November 17 remains in place.
State operator Renfe said about 40% of long- and medium-distance train services were cancelled on Tuesday. About 90% of services on Madrid’s commuter rail network and half of Barcelona’s local services did not run.
Further transport disruption is expected on Wednesday because of a 24-hour nationwide general strike by trade unions over the housing crisis. The strike is taking place ahead of the snap election scheduled for November 29.
Two crashes on the same high-speed rail line kill 115
Two crashes this year on the same high-speed rail line between Madrid and Seville have killed 115 people. A collision near Adamuz in southern Spain in January killed 46 people, while a crash in Toledo last month claimed 69 lives.
Investigators said the second collision occurred after a signalling-system failure, when a dispatcher instructed a Renfe train to continue. An Iryo train was stationary ahead on the line.
Semaf said talks between the government and the train drivers’ union on improving safety began after the January crash but were suspended in April.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente resigned last week. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez appointed his deputy, Carlos Cuerpo, to lead the ministry on an interim basis.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia attended a funeral service at Toledo Cathedral on Tuesday with relatives of those killed in last month’s crash.
Sanchez did not attend the service, saying he generally does not take part in religious ceremonies. The conservative opposition accused him of cowardice.
