Train drivers across Spain initiated a strike on November 10, 2026, disrupting rail services nationwide. The walkout follows two fatal train crashes earlier in the year that killed a combined 115 people. The first crash in January 2026 claimed 46 lives, while the second, on October 28, 2026, resulted in 69 fatalities.
Renfe, the state-run train operator, reported that about 40% of long- and medium-distance train services were cancelled during the strike, directly affecting 4,042 passengers. Commuter rail networks faced even heavier disruption; 90% of Madrid’s Cercanias services were suspended, with at least five commuter lines fully offline and three
operating partially. Barcelona’s local train operator, Rodalies, saw 50% of services cancelled, causing delays and intermittent running at stations such as Masnou.
The strike arose amid ongoing safety concerns following the two deadly crashes. Talks between the train drivers’ union Semaf and the government, which began after the January crash to improve high-speed rail safety, ended without agreement in April 2026. The second crash was linked to a controller ordering a Renfe train to proceed after a signal failure, despite a stationary Iryo train ahead on the same line, according to former Transport Minister Oscar Puente, who resigned following the
incidents.
Rail operators including Renfe, Ouigo, and Iryo were affected by the strike. The government responded with safety measures such as clarifying how driver operating time is calculated, establishing an ombudsman for public transport accident victims, and enhancing staff communication channels and autonomy to halt trains if risks are detected. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez appointed his deputy Carlos Cuerpo to oversee the Transport Ministry after Puente’s resignation.
The strike severely impacted travelers, with many Madrid commuters forced to take buses from suburbs like Leganes to reach the city center. Semaf confirmed that drivers adhered to government-mandated minimum service levels, attributing
delays to mismanagement of scheduled trains. On the day of the strike, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia attended a funeral service at Toledo Cathedral for victims of the October 28 crash, where a 16th-century religious effigy was moved from nearby Urda. A general strike expected to further disrupt public transit and businesses across Spain was scheduled for November 11, 2026.
