National figures
The strike, called by the Semaf train drivers' union and set to run for 24 hours, hit Spanish rail on Thursday, 29 October. Renfe put staff participation at 15.16% on the morning shift and 2.19% on the night shift, counting only workers able to join. The operator cut 12.5% of its commercial services (AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed and Intercity), or 6 of the 48 trains scheduled. On the Levante corridor, 22% of high-speed trains and 20% of Euromed services were suppressed, while on the northern corridor one of 11 Alvia services (9.1%) was cancelled. Renfe said that public services such as Cercanías, Rodalies, Avant and Media Distancia recorded 17.04% of minimum-service trains suppressed and 28.64% that never left.
Madrid: commuter lines and Metro
RTVE reported that five Cercanías Madrid lines (C-1, C-3, C-4, C-8a and C-8b) were suspended. Lines C-2, C-5, C-7 and C-10 were badly affected, with long delays and altered routes. RTVE also reported more than 45% of trains in the Community of Madrid suppressed, with 33% never leaving the station. Renfe's figures put suppressions on Madrid's commuter services at 48%. The Ministry of Transport set minimum services at 75% during peak hours (6.00 to 9.00, 13.30 to 15.30 and 18.30 to 20.30) and at 50% for the rest of the day.
The Madrid regional transport consortium (CRTM) added 305 trains on Metro de Madrid, extra service on lines 2 and 4, and 136 support staff at stations. It also boosted interurban buses on the A-4, A-42, A-5 and A-6, including 48 extra services on the A-6. Metro demand rose 5% according to the 9:00 count, and a later CRTM statement put the increase at 6%. The consortium recorded saturation at Avenida de América, with a high concentration of passengers and frequent delays at peak hours.
- Metro de Madrid demand up 5% on the 9:00 count
- Rodalies de Catalunya begins service with 33% of its fleet, running until 17.00
- Madrid transport consortium reports Metro demand up 6% and saturation at Avenida de América
- RTVE reports more than 45% of Madrid trains suppressed and 33% not leaving
Catalonia, Andalusia and the regions
Renfe reported that 48.85% of services on Rodalies de Catalunya never left. RTVE said the Barcelona strike started without incidents, with Rodalies running from 9.30 to 17.00 using 33% of its fleet, although main road approaches to the city saw heavy congestion early in the morning. In Andalusia, 29.41% of services did not depart and 7.84% were suppressed. Extremadura recorded the second-highest share of suppressed services at 22.22%. In the East, 11.48% of services were suppressed and 13.93% did not leave.
In Valencia, 56 of the 59 trains due to run in the peak hour on the Nucli de València under the agreed minimum services did operate. Galicia saw little disruption: Renfe described the day there as normal, with three services affected, a Lugo-Madrid long-distance train and two Regional trains between A Coruña and Vigo, one in each direction. Passengers on the long-distance train were moved to other services, and road transport was arranged for the Regional trains. RTVE also reported that the Madrid-Andalusia line remained interrupted because of the Urda accident, and that freight operated at 26% of its usual service.
Safety demands and passenger information
Semaf is pressing for improvements in rail safety, according to RTVE. Renfe said it respects the right to strike but regrets the disruption to passengers. For the day, it waived fees for changes and cancellations and advised passengers not to travel where possible. Passengers whose trains were affected were to receive information by SMS or email at the contact details attached to their bookings. The minimum services set by the ministry governed how many trains ran across each category during the 24-hour action.