In the coming days, thousands of Catalonia residents will face significant changes in the operation of suburban and regional trains. A strike by railway sector employees, scheduled for February 9, 10, and 11, has been called in response to a series of recent accidents and union demands to rethink safety measures and the organization of transport services. For many passengers, this means not only inconvenience but also new questions for authorities about how their mobility and safety will be ensured.
The Catalan authorities have already set the minimum level of transport services for the strike period. During the morning rush hour, from six to half past nine, two-thirds of the usual number of trains will run. In the evening, from five to half past eight, only a third of the standard schedule will operate. This measure is intended to reduce the negative impact on passengers, although not everyone considers it sufficient.
In recent weeks, the issue of transport problems in the region has remained high on the agenda. Not long ago, RUSSPAIN.COM published an in-depth analysis of how frequent railway disruptions and overloaded buses are leading to a transport collapse. The article noted that the restoration of train services is slow, and alternative routes cannot handle the passenger load. You can read more about the recent transport difficulties in their featured article on the topic of the transport crisis.
Union response
The railway workers’ unions, who initiated the strike, are calling for urgent changes. They argue that the current model of railway management is outdated and fails to provide an adequate level of safety. Following a series of accidents in recent weeks, their demands to the authorities have become even stricter: to restore the previous safety standards and to review resource allocation.
Particular dissatisfaction was caused by decisions of the Ministry of Transport, which set minimum service levels nationwide but excluded Catalonia and the Basque Country from the general list. Representatives of the SEMAF union stated that the proposed measures are more reminiscent of maximums than minimums, and expressed surprise that in other regions of the country, the restrictions turned out to be even stricter than in Catalonia.
The Ministry, in turn, explains its actions by the need to consider the specifics of long-distance transport, as well as the role of aviation and bus services in ensuring citizens’ mobility. However, these arguments have not convinced all stakeholders, and debates over the fairness of the new rules continue.
Mass protests
Ahead of the strike, large-scale protests have already taken place in Barcelona. According to municipal estimates, around three thousand people took to the streets demanding improved rail services and decent conditions for passengers. Not only union representatives participated in the demonstrations, but also politicians and figures from the cultural sector, highlighting the scale and importance of the issue for the entire region.
The protesters marched from the Estació de França train station to Plaza Sant Jaume, where the main demands were announced: infrastructure modernization, increased safety, and more transparent decision-making processes. Many participants pointed out that the transport situation in Catalonia has long required systemic reforms rather than temporary fixes.
Impact on passengers
The coming three days will be a real test for residents and visitors of Catalonia. Fewer trains during and outside peak hours will lead to longer waiting times, overcrowded carriages, and possibly further schedule disruptions. Those who rely on rail transport daily for work or study will feel the strain most acutely.
Authorities recommend planning routes in advance and, if possible, using alternative modes of transportation. However, as recent experience has shown, buses and other means of transport are not always able to cope with the sudden increase in demand. As a result, many passengers find themselves in uncertain situations and are forced to seek temporary solutions.
Context and trends
In recent years, strikes and protests on the railway have become increasingly common not only in Catalonia but throughout Spain. The reasons are usually similar: outdated infrastructure, a lack of investment, safety concerns, and dissatisfaction with working conditions. In 2024, similar actions took place in Madrid and Valencia, where numerous delays and train cancellations were also reported.
In other European countries, such as France and Germany, railway strikes often lead to widespread transport disruptions, forcing authorities to seek compromises between the interests of workers and passengers. In Spain, the situation is complicated by regional specifics and differing approaches to organizing transportation. In the near future, further discussions can be expected on the future of rail connections and the state’s role in ensuring their stability.
