Rail Travel Disruptions Expected in Spain as Renfe Staff Prepare for Strikes
Starting from tomorrow, rail travel across Spain is set to face severe disruptions as staff at Renfe, the country’s state-owned operator, begin a series of planned walkouts. With hundreds of trains already cancelled throughout February, including both long and mid-distance services, tourists and commuters alike are being urged to check the company websites to see if their journeys will be affected.
The strikes, announced by the Spanish trade union CCOO, will commence on Friday, February 9th with a 23-hour stoppage resulting in the cancellation of 310 long and mid-distance Renfe trains, including the high-speed AVE trains. Furthermore, an additional 330 long-distance trains and 641 mid-distance services will also be scrapped. However, in compliance with legal obligations, a skeleton service will still operate, which will likely reduce the number of cancellations.
Not only will these rail worker strikes impact popular tourist destinations and major cities, but they will also affect Cercanías commuter trains in Madrid. On Friday, during peak times, it is expected that only 75% of the usual service will be available.
February Strike Schedule
Renfe staff and employees at Spain’s rail infrastructure manager Adif have already warned of strikes occurring at various points throughout this month. The key union UGT has confirmed partial nationwide stoppages for 2-hour periods every Monday in February, affecting transportation on the 12th, 19th, and 26th. Additionally, both UGT and CCOO have called for walkouts on the 16th and 17th of February for Catalonia’s Rodalies trains between 7 and 9 am, as well as 3 and 5 pm.
The unions have initiated these strikes due to the failure to implement a 35-hour working week at Adif and the elimination of income categories at Renfe.
Passenger Rights in Case of Train Cancellations
In the event of a cancelled train, passengers are entitled to certain rights. Renfe has stated that it will offer affected travelers alternative tickets for services as close as possible to their original departure time. Additionally, passengers have the option to cancel their ticket and receive a reimbursement, or choose an alternative service of their preference. More detailed information can be found on Renfe’s official website.
With rail travel disruptions expected throughout the month, it is crucial for individuals planning to travel in Spain to stay informed and be prepared for potential delays and cancellations.
