Renfe strike on July 15 triggers 73% service minimum for high‑speed trains

On Wednesday 15 July, the minority Sindicato Ferroviario called a second nationwide strike at Renfe, protesting the sale of Renfe Mercancías, closure of maintenance depots and what it calls the “dismantling” of Spain’s public railway. The union also organised a demonstration at the Atocha headquarters in Madrid at 11:30.

The Ministry of Transport imposed minimum service levels: 73 % of high‑speed and long‑distance trains (249 of 343 scheduled) will run, 66 % of medium‑distance services (426 of 650), and for Cercanías the peak‑hour frequency is capped at 75 % with 50 % off‑peak. About 328 trains were cancelled across all categories, affecting thousands of passengers during the summer travel peak. The previous strike on 29 June saw only 1.83 % participation, allowing most services to operate normally.

Renfe advised travellers to check the status of their journeys and offered free ticket changes or refunds for cancelled services.