🚆🛠️ Railway crisis deepens as strikes loom over safety concerns

Oneliner

Train drivers' unions in Spain are set to strike from 9 to 11 February due to unresolved safety concerns following recent deadly accidents. Transport Minister Óscar Puente's negotiations with the unions have failed, leading to significant service disruptions. The unions demand stronger oversight from the State Railway Safety Agency to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Minimum service levels have been established for essential routes during the strike, but frustrations continue to mount over the government's handling of the crisis.

Key points

• Train drivers' unions maintain strike from 9-11 February amid unresolved safety issues.
• Transport Minister Óscar Puente's negotiations with unions have failed to yield an agreement.
• Service disruptions continue, with minimum service levels set for essential routes during the strike.
• Unions demand stronger oversight from the State Railway Safety Agency to ensure safety compliance.

Links

• 20minutos: Los maquinistas exigen para frenar la huelga que la Agencia de Seguridad Ferroviaria "esté más encima" de Adif y las operadoras
• ABC: Renfe amplía los cortes de trenes por el temporal en Galicia
• El Mundo: Puente no consigue calmar a los sindicatos ferroviarios, que mantienen la huelga prevista para el lunes, martes y miércoles
• ABC: Puente fracasa por tercera vez en su intento de parar la huelga de maquinistas
• Europa Press: Feijóo y Abascal examinarán a Sánchez en su primer Pleno de control en el Congreso de 2026
• ABC: Renfe deja tirados a miles de viajeros en las estaciones gallegas
• 20minutos: Los agricultores protestan en el centro de Barcelona con sus tractores y tensan la movilidad ya afectada por el caos de Rodalies

Facts

• The strike is scheduled for 9-11 February 2026.
• 46 people died in recent railway accidents in Adamuz and Gelida.
• Minimum service levels during the strike are set at 73% for high-speed trains.
• The Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Ferroviaria is responsible for rail safety oversight.

Quotes

• We do not have sufficient guarantees to call it off — Teo Moreno, Semaf spokesman
• We want greater oversight because we understand it is not fulfilling its functions in depth — Semaf

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