Train drivers in Spain launched a strike on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, leading to the cancellation of approximately 40% of long- and medium-distance train services. Renfe, the state operator, reported that 4,042 passengers were directly affected by these cancellations nationwide.
Fatal Collisions Prompt Strike Action
The strike follows two deadly train crashes earlier in 2026 on the Madrid-Seville high-speed line that together killed 115 people. The first crash in January caused 46 fatalities, while the second on October 28 resulted in 69 deaths. The October accident occurred after a controller instructed a Renfe-operated train to proceed despite a signal failure and the presence of a
stationary Iryo train ahead.
Commuter Services Severely Disrupted in Madrid and Barcelona
Commuter services in major Spanish cities were heavily affected. In Madrid, 90% of Cercanias commuter train services were canceled, with at least five lines not operating at all and three others running partial services. Barcelona’s local Rodalies train network experienced 50% service cancellations and delays due to non-compliance with government minimum service quotas.
Government and Union Responses to Rail Safety Concerns
After the January crash, negotiations between the train drivers’ union Semaf and the government on rail safety improvements began but collapsed in April. Following the October crash and mounting pressure, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez appointed Carlos Cuerpo as interim Transport Minister after Oscar
Puente resigned. The government approved new safety measures on November 10 including recalculating train driver operating times, creating an ombudsman for public transport accident victims, enhancing communication channels for safety concerns, and granting railway staff greater autonomy to halt or withhold restarting trains when risks are detected.
Commuter Impact and Transport Alternatives
The strike caused widespread disruption to commuter travel. In the Madrid suburb of Leganes, disrupted rail services forced passengers to switch to bus transport to reach the city center. At Masnou station near Barcelona, train service was intermittent and few passengers were present. The Semaf union confirmed that its drivers complied with government-mandated
minimum service quotas but attributed delays to poor management of scheduled trains.
Mourning for October Crash Victims at Toledo Cathedral
On the same day as the strike, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia attended a funeral service for victims of the October crash held at Toledo Cathedral in central Spain. The service included the transfer of a 16th-century effigy of Christ from the nearby town of Urda to Toledo.
Official Statements on Safety and Strike Compliance
The Semaf union asserted that its members respected government-established minimum service levels during the strike. The union criticized the management of scheduled train operations as a cause of further delays. The government reiterated its commitment to implement the approved
safety measures to prevent future accidents.
Spain’s Rail Network Disruption Amid Broader Economic Impact
Spain operates Europe’s most extensive high-speed rail network, which has faced significant disruption due to the strike and the two fatal crashes in 2026. The transport interruptions on November 10 are expected to precede a nationwide general strike on November 11 impacting public transit as well as various businesses, factories, and shops across the country.
