Renfe faces driver strike and capacity increases

The Spanish government has decreed minimum services for a train driver strike scheduled for October 29. The strike, called by the SEMAF union across all Renfe group companies, aims to demand improvements in railway safety, weather emergency protocols, and the hiring of new drivers. For Rodalies and Regional services, the Generalitat has set minimum service levels at 66% during peak hours and 33% during off-peak hours.

Separately, Renfe announced it will increase capacity on the Avant service between Lleida and Barcelona starting in January 2027. By introducing new series 121 trains, the operator will add 528 daily seats, increasing total capacity from 2,856 to 3,384 seats. This move follows previous complaints regarding seat reductions and aims to reinforce high-demand routes, particularly the early morning service from Lleida Pirineus to Barcelona-Sants.