Trains can suffer changes for three consecutive days in November due to the coincidence of two strike calls: the strike by train drivers and a general strike. The call from the Sindicato Español de Maquinistas Ferroviarios (Semaf) affects the staff of Grupo Renfe on Tuesday 10 and Thursday 12, while on the Wednesday 11 a general strike is also called, which can also have an impact on rail transport.
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has established that minimum services for Suburban Trains are 75% during peak hours and 50% during the rest of the day. The sections with the highest demand set for these days are from 6:00 to 9:00, from 13:30 to 15:30, and from 18:30 to 20:30.
On the Medium-Distance trains, an average of 65% of usual services is guaranteed. For High Speed and Long Distance services, the percentage stands at 72%, while in freight transport it reaches 20% of scheduled services.
Strikes on 10 and 12 November
On Tuesday 10 November, Semaf has called a total stoppage of activity for 24 hours, from 00:01 to 23:59. The call is directed at the driving staff of Grupo Renfe and responds to the union’s demands regarding compliance with commitments made in matters of rail safety.
On Thursday 12, the mobilization will be partial and will be concentrated in three periods: from 6:20 to 9:20, from 14:20 to 17:20, and from 21:20 to 23:20. Outside those time slots, no strikes by Semaf are called, although passengers must check the services planned for their route.
The trade union organization argues that the commitments agreed with the Ministry and the rail companies have not been developed in order to introduce changes in procedures and safety measures. The call is directed at Grupo Renfe, so it should not be confused with a general strike by all rail companies.
The Generalitat has established specific percentages for Suburban Trains and Regional services in Catalonia during the days of drivers’ strike. In this case, 66% of the usual supply will be maintained during peak hours and 33% during the rest of the day. The periods of highest demand set by the Catalan Administration are from 6:00 to 9:30 and from 17:00 to 20:30.
The order of the Generalitat also includes the availability of the necessary staff to deal with breakdowns, carry out urgent maintenance work, and keep railway management centers operational.
General strike of 11N
On Wednesday, November 11, a general strike has been called that affects different sectors of activity, both public and private.
Renfe has warned that its usual train service offering may be affected by the general strike. However, the percentages approved for Semaf stoppages are not sufficient to determine how many services will run that Wednesday. To provide a specific figure, it would be necessary to have the corresponding resolution for that day.
Therefore, those who plan to travel should check the operator’s notices and the information for their train before going to the station. The consultation is especially relevant for Cercanías, Media Distancia, Avant, AVE, and Larga Distancia services.
How to check whether a train is affected
Travelers can consult updated information in Renfe’s official channels, both on its website and in the app and station notices. For services with reservations, it is advisable to review the messages associated with the purchase and the contact details provided when buying the ticket.
If a service is cancelled or modified by the machinists’ strike or by the general strike, the operator must inform the affected travelers through the available channels. It is also recommended to check the status of the route before leaving home, since the general percentages for minimum services do not allow, by themselves, to know whether a specific train keeps its schedule.