"Spanish train services were disrupted on Monday as drivers launched a three-day strike over safety concerns. A high-speed collision in the southern Andalusia region killed 45 people on January 18, and two days later a driver was killed and four passengers were seriously injured after a containment wall fell on the track following heavy rains near Barcelona, derailing a commuter train."
"SEMAF, the train drivers union leading the strike, says railway workers are demanding a "structural change in safety." Rising passenger numbers strain high-speed rail network The union says the rail system is deteriorating and is demanding stronger safety and maintenance guarantees. In an August letter to rail operator Adif, the union warned of severe wear on several lines, including the site of January's crashes."
"There is also a question of whether maintenance of the network is keeping pace with passenger demand. Nearly 40 million passengers used a high-speed train in Spain in 2024, almost double the 2019 number, but the vast majority of spending went to new infrastructure, with only about 16% earmarked for maintenance, renewal and upgrades. "It's a vicious circle," union leader Diego Martin told Reuters. "Track defects damage trains, and train defects further damage the track.""
Train services were disrupted by a three-day strike called by drivers over safety concerns following deadly incidents in January and a rain-related derailment near Barcelona. The union SEMAF demands a structural change in safety and stronger maintenance guarantees, citing severe wear on several lines including the crash site. Negotiations between Transport Minister Oscar Puente and unions failed to avert the walkout. Passenger numbers have risen sharply, with nearly 40 million high-speed users in 2024, while only about 16% of spending was allocated to maintenance, renewal and upgrades. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is due to brief parliament on system failures.
Read at www.dw.com
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