The railway company Renfe has announced the implementation of special restrictions on train services nationwide due to a large-scale strike scheduled for October 15, 2025. On this day, commuter, regional, long-distance, and high-speed trains will operate on a revised timetable. The reason is a nationwide protest, organized in support of Palestine by several trade unions.
Throughout the day, train services will be suspended at specific times: from 2 to 4 a.m., from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and from 5 to 7 p.m. These measures will affect not only rail transport but other means of transportation as well.
For commuter routes (Cercanías), 75% of the regular trains will run during peak hours, and only half the usual number at other times. In Madrid and its suburbs, the timetable has been designed to ensure people can still commute to work or school. On the busiest lines, trains will depart every twenty minutes, while on less popular routes, at least once an hour. Regional trains (Media Distancia) will operate at roughly two-thirds of normal capacity, with at least one round-trip on each route guaranteed per day. Particular attention has been given to routes connecting cities with administrative, medical, and employment centers.
High-speed and long-distance trains (Alta Velocidad and Larga Distancia) will operate at 73% of their regular schedule. On this day, 237 Renfe Viajeros trains, 46 Iryo trains, and 30 Ouigo España trains will run. These numbers take into account that air and road transport will not be able to fully compensate for the shortage of rail services. As a result of the changes, 324 Renfe Viajeros trains, 62 Iryo trains, and 40 Ouigo trains will not operate. Priority is given to routes with the highest passenger traffic and those connecting major cities to prevent a transport collapse and ensure safety.
Stations and control centers will also switch to special operating procedures. Minimum staffing requirements have been set for employees responsible for security, passenger information, assistance to people with reduced mobility, and order control. In the event of technical failures or emergencies, special repair crews and backup trains will be deployed to resolve issues and evacuate passengers. These measures aim to prevent overcrowding and possible incidents at stations and on the tracks.
Renfe has published a full list of trains that will be running on the day of the strike. The schedule is available on the operator’s official website. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and take possible timetable changes into account.
