OMM Newsroom
A train drivers’ strike disrupted rail services across Spain on Tuesday, with drivers demanding that the government meet safety commitments made after a series of deadly crashes, according to Anadolu Agency.
Madrid’s Cercanías commuter network suspended services on six lines, while only occasional trains ran on two others. In Catalonia, the Rodalies network said none of its lines was operating as scheduled.
The strike also led to cancellations on the Madrid-Barcelona high-speed line and services connecting Madrid with Valladolid. State rail operator “Renfe” offered passengers free ticket changes or cancellations, but warned that few seats were available for rebooking.
The train drivers’ union “Semaf” called this week’s strikes a day after the Oct. 28 crash near Urda, in Toledo province, which killed 69 people.
Drivers had already scheduled a walkout for Oct. 29 over what the union described as unfulfilled safety commitments made after two crashes in January: one in Adamuz, which killed 46 people, and a derailment in Catalonia that killed a driver.
Drivers are demanding clear rules for operating in severe weather and a ban on trains returning to normal speeds after a failure of the automatic train protection system, which was linked to last month’s crash.
New Transport Minister Carlos Cuerpo met union representatives twice in less than a week. “Semaf” acknowledged progress in the talks but maintained the strike. Further stoppages are planned for Thursday during the morning and evening rush hours, and again late at night.
The Spanish government approved a decree on Tuesday recognizing train drivers’ right to stop a train or refuse to start it if they face serious and imminent danger, broadcaster “RTVE” reported. The decree also allows rail workers to report safety risks confidentially without fear of retaliation.
The strike comes a day before Spain’s largest unions are due to hold a nationwide general strike over housing and low wages. It will be the country’s first such strike since 2012.
