Spain’s railway system is set for a major transformation in the coming years. After several days of uncertainty, the CCOO, UGT, and Semaf unions announced they are calling off the strike that had paralyzed train traffic nationwide. The decision follows an agreement with the Ministry of Transport, which includes a substantial increase in funding and an expansion of staffing across key companies in the sector.
For millions of Spaniards, this means not just a return to regular train schedules but long-awaited improvements in service quality and safety. In recent years, passengers have routinely faced cancellations, delays, and overcrowded trains—especially in Catalonia, where Rodalies has repeatedly fallen victim to breakdowns and technical failures. Now, authorities promise the situation will change.
Investments and Jobs
The core of the agreement is a sharp increase in the budget for maintaining railway infrastructure. Over four years, spending on track and equipment maintenance will rise to 1.8 billion euros. This will allow not only for the renewal of worn-out sections but also for the introduction of new safety standards, something train drivers and technical staff have long been demanding.
The agreement provides for the creation of 3,650 new jobs. Most vacancies will appear in Adif and Renfe, where recruitment of maintenance and repair specialists will begin shortly. Additionally, the Transport Safety Agency will be reinforced, which should reduce accident risks and improve compliance control.
Unions call the compromise historic. According to them, for the first time in many years, the government has not only recognized the need for investment but also agreed to revise procedures related to weather risks and temporary speed restrictions. This is especially important for regions where extreme weather often causes train service disruptions.
Reaction and consequences
Despite the strike being called off by the largest unions, some organizations continue their protests. CGT, Sindicato Ferroviario Intersindical, and Sindicato Alternativa Ferroviaria did not accept the terms of the agreement and intend to seek additional guarantees for their members. This means that some schedule disruptions may continue until the end of the week.
In Catalonia, where Rodalies traditionally suffers from disruptions, passengers met the news with cautious optimism. In recent days, hundreds of trains were canceled or delayed, and stations filled with dissatisfied people demanding better service. In Andalusia, the situation was less tense: some routes were suspended due to weather conditions even before the strike began.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente personally signed the agreement with union representatives, even though he was absent at the initial stage of negotiations due to a business trip to Saudi Arabia. His prompt return and swift response sent a clear signal to the market: the government is open to dialogue and intent on preventing another transport crisis.
Agreement details
The document signed by the parties contains over 25 provisions. These include a phased increase in infrastructure maintenance spending, a review of safety protocols, and the introduction of new weather warning systems. In the coming years, the maintenance budget will increase by 50%, and by 40% for high-speed lines.
Adif will create 2,400 new jobs, Renfe 1,200, and the Safety Agency will open another 50 vacancies. All new employees will undergo additional training to meet stricter standards. Authorities emphasize that these measures will not only improve service reliability, but also create thousands of jobs for young professionals.
The unions plan to explain the agreement’s details to their members and the public. They stress that the compromise reached is the result of long and difficult negotiations, during which they secured concessions on key issues.
Context and comparisons
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly faced large-scale strikes in the transport sector. In 2024, a similar action resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and mass protests in Madrid and Barcelona. Negotiations dragged on for several weeks, and a solution was found only after government intervention. In 2025, railway workers again threatened to halt operations, demanding higher wages and better working conditions, but the conflict was resolved more quickly.
Infrastructure issues and staffing shortages remain pressing concerns for many European countries. In recent years, Italy and France have also seen strikes related to railway investments. However, the Spanish agreement stands out for the scale of its investment and the number of new jobs it creates, potentially serving as an example for other countries in the region.
