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Final day of rail strike saw 700 cancellations across Spain
Low staff turnout led to widespread cancellations and commuter chaos
Thousands of rail passengers across Spain faced fresh disruption on Wednesday February 11 as the third and final day of strike action led to around 700 train cancellations nationwide.The walkout, organised by the CGT, SF-Intersindical and Alferro unions, affected high-speed, long-distance, regional and commuter services. According to union figures compiled by 9.00pm, Renfe cancelled 85 AVE high-speed trains, 150 regional and medium-distance services and roughly 450 commuter trains across the country.
The strike had originally been backed by six unions, but three major groups withdrew earlier in the week after reaching an agreement with the Ministry of Transport. Smaller unions, however, continued with the planned stoppages.
Despite the widespread cancellations, Renfe has reported that 1.9% of its workforce participated in the strike, the lowest figure of the three days. Participation had reached 11.6% on Monday and 2% on Tuesday. The company said this “demonstrates its limited impact”, although it acknowledged disruption across multiple lines.
Particularly affected were high-speed routes including the Madrid-Barcelona line and routes between Madrid and Galicia, where unions reported significant disruption. Renfe warned that “due to operational issues resulting from the strike” some services, especially on the Northeast and Levante corridors, could face delays or cancellations and advised passengers to consider changing their travel dates.
In Valladolid, at least three high-speed trains to Madrid and four in the opposite direction were cancelled, leaving around 400 passengers stranded after the 6.23am Avant service was pulled. “It was chaos,” said one affected traveller.
Elsewhere, unions reported at least seven cancellations in Galicia and an even longer list in Málaga due to a lack of drivers. Disruption was also reported in Cádiz, León, Asturias, Cartagena and Gipuzkoa, with some ticket offices closed in cities including Santander, Gijón, Vigo and Valladolid.
Renfe confirmed cancellations on Málaga’s commuter network and on Avant services between Madrid and Castile and León. While the operator has now lifted minimum service requirements nationwide, except in the Basque Country, it admitted the rail system operates “like a chain”, meaning the absence of key staff can quickly affect multiple services.
Private operators Ouigo and Iryo said their trains were running normally, with most affected passengers rebooked or refunded.
Image: Wikicommons
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