Lorraine Williamson
Passengers across the country are being warned of disruption next week as the Spanish rail strike action moves ahead for February following failed talks between unions and the government.
Rail unions confirmed that strike days scheduled for 9, 10 and 11 February will go ahead after negotiations with the transport ministry ended without agreement. The action is expected to affect commuter, regional and long-distance services across the national network.
Minimum services to keep trains running
Authorities are preparing minimum service levels designed to keep essential routes operating, particularly during peak commuter hours. While some trains will run, cancellations and delays are expected, especially on regional and suburban lines.
The transport ministry says the aim is to balance the right to strike with the need to maintain basic mobility across the country. Details of guaranteed services are being finalised and will be published ahead of the strike dates.
High-speed services and long-distance routes are likely to operate at reduced capacity, while some private operators may also be affected depending on staffing and operational constraints.
Why workers are striking
The dispute centres on working conditions, staffing concerns and the pace of changes within Spain’s rail sector. Unions argue that reforms and restructuring have increased pressure on workers and raised safety and workload issues.
Government officials say negotiations remain open, but unions insist that without concrete commitments, industrial action will continue as planned.
Hundreds of rail safety checks ordered
Advice for passengers
Travellers planning journeys early next week are being urged to check train status in advance and allow extra time. Tickets for cancelled services are typically refundable or exchangeable, but operators advise passengers to monitor updates closely.
Those with essential travel plans may wish to consider alternative transport where possible, particularly on the busiest routes.
A network already under pressure
The strike comes at a time when Spain’s rail system is already dealing with disruption from severe weather and ongoing infrastructure checks. While authorities hope to limit the impact, next week’s action is expected to test the network’s resilience.
Further talks could still take place before the strike begins, but for now, services across Spain are preparing for several days of reduced operations.
Sources: El País, Huffington Post