# Spanish rail strikes and service disruptions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/andalusia-rail-development-and-challenges > Updated: 2026-07-29T13:26:27.000Z. Sources: 84. Developments: 15. The June‑July rail disruption saga, which began with the 15 July nationwide strike and cable‑theft incidents, has entered a second phase. On 31 July, a strike by the Sindicato Ferroviario forced Renfe to cancel up to 322 trains, leaving roughly 27 % of AVE high‑speed services without the ministry‑mandated minimum‑service guarantee (73 % for AVE, 65 % for medium‑distance). The union protested faulty air‑conditioning on board and the recent sale of Renfe Mercancías. Minimum‑service levels were set at 73 % for AVE, 65 % for medium‑distance and 75 % for Cercanías during peak hours (50 % off‑peak). Catalonia’s Rodalies will run 66 % of peak trains and 33 % off‑peak; Andalusia faces similar cuts. Earlier late‑June and mid‑July actions saw under 2 % staff participation, so most services continued, though any train not covered by the quota may be cancelled. Renfe advises passengers to check updated timetables and consider alternative transport. Renfe continues to meet the required service thresholds while offering free rebooking or refunds; limited bus capacity provides only marginal relief. The low‑cost Avlo service on the Madrid‑Málaga corridor runs two extra weekly trains from 4 August to 9 September, with tickets from €9, intensifying competition with Ouigo and Iryo. Madrid’s Metro line 9B remains closed from 25 July to 13 August for track renewal, with a free replacement bus that roughly doubles travel times for its 18 000 daily riders. Adif’s police patrols and infrastructure repairs on the Madrid‑Andalusia high‑speed corridor and the Irixo line continue, while liberalised fares stay 40‑50 % below pre‑pandemic levels, supporting strong passenger volumes. Ahead of the July 31 strike, Renfe made nearly 1.2 million seats available from Thursday to Sunday to mitigate expected cancellations. ## Claims - Sindicato Ferroviario called a strike of Renfe staff for 31 July 2026. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Ministry of Transport set minimum service levels of 73 % for high‑speed trains, 65 % for medium‑distance, and 75 % (50 % off‑peak) for Cercanías during peak hours. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The strike protests deficient air‑conditioning systems on trains and the sale of Renfe Mercancías. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Trains not covered by the minimum service quota may be cancelled during the strike. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Previous strikes on 29 June and 15 July 2026 saw less than 2 % of Renfe staff participate. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Rodalies de Catalunya will run at 66 % of normal trains during peak hours and 33 % the rest of the day. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Renfe advises passengers to check updated timetables before traveling on 31 July. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The strike coincides with the start of the August vacation period in Spain. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Up to 322 trains could be cancelled across Spain because of the strike. (single source) - Renfe offered nearly 1.2 million seats from Thursday to Sunday during the August vacation start. (single source) - OCU says passengers can claim full refunds, alternative transport or compensation for cancelled or delayed trains caused by the strike. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-29: Renfe strike on July 31 cuts services nationwide, up to 322 trains may be cancelled Renfe’s July 31 strike reduces services to 73 % of AVE, 65 % of medium‑distance and 75 % of peak Cercanías, may cancel up to 322 trains, and sparks passenger‑rights advice. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/renfe-strike-cancels-322-trains-as-summer-service-cuts-hit-spains-rail-network ### 2026-07-24: Spain expands low‑cost rail service and suspends Metro line 9 for summer works Renfe adds twice‑weekly €9 Avlo Madrid‑Málaga trains for summer, while Madrid Metro line 9B is shut from 25 July to 13 August for track work, with a free replacement bus. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-expands-lowcost-rail-service-and-suspends-metro-line-9-for-summer-works ### 2026-07-17: Spain’s high‑speed rail liberalisation doubles passengers, slashes fares Spain’s high‑speed rail liberalisation has doubled passengers to 44.5 million and cut fares by up to 50 %, while service expansions and cable‑theft disruptions affect routes like Madrid‑Málaga and Andalusia. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spains-highspeed-rail-passengers-double-as-liberalisation-cuts-fares ### 2026-07-14: Renfe strike on July 15 triggers 73% service minimum for high‑speed trains Renfe’s July 15 strike, led by the minority Sindicato Ferroviario, forced a 73 % service minimum on high‑speed trains and cancelled roughly 328 services, disrupting thousands of passengers. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/renfe-strike-in-spain-prompts-minimum-service-schedule ### 2026-07-12: Renfe challenges CRTM report on Madrid Cercanías incident figures Renfe says the Madrid transport authority’s report inflates Cercanías incident numbers by 10 %, sparking a data dispute amid regional‑state tensions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/renfe-challenges-crtm-report-on-madrid-cercanas-incident-figures ### 2026-07-11: Renfe strike triggers reduced train services across Spain on July 15 Renfe strike on July 15 cuts Spanish train services; Ministry mandates 75% Cercanías, 66% Media Distancia, 73% high‑speed runs; travelers urged to verify schedules and may get free ticket changes. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/renfe-strike-triggers-reduced-train-services-across-spain-on-july-15 ### 2026-07-09: Spain's Renfe sets reduced high‑speed services amid July rail strike Spain's transport ministry set 73% minimum high‑speed services for a July 15 rail strike, while Renfe fixed a high‑speed line outage caused by cable theft between Ciudad Real and Malagón. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spains-renfe-sets-reduced-highspeed-services-amid-july-rail-strike ### 2026-07-09: Renfe railway disruption strands hundreds of passengers en route to Madrid Renfe’s Irixo line failure caused overcrowded trains, water shortages and police‑led confrontations as hundreds of passengers were stranded en route to Madrid. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/renfe-railway-disruption-strands-hundreds-of-passengers-en-route-to-madrid ### 2026-06-30: Renfe reinstates León‑Gijón summer train service Renfe’s León‑Gijón “Tren Playero” resumes on 1 July, running daily in July‑August with weekday and weekend schedules, linking travelers to Gijón’s beaches. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/renfe-reinstates-lengijn-summer-train-service ### 2026-06-29: Renfe reports minimal impact from 24‑hour rail strike, participation under 2% Renfe says the rail strike saw under 2% worker participation and minimal service disruption, while the union claims irregularities and plans further action. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/renfe-reports-minimal-impact-from-24hour-rail-strike-participation-under-2 ### 2026-06-29: Renfe adds 21.6 million summer seats and expands youth discounts for 2026 Renfe will sell 21.6 million seats for summer 2026, adding 100 k+ extra seats, boosting Avant capacity by 21% and offering 50% youth discounts under Verano Joven. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-travel-agencies-roll-out-summer-lastminute-booking-discounts ### 2026-06-28: Renfe strike cancels 320 trains across Spain A 24‑hour strike by Spain’s railway union on 29 June cancels 320 Renfe trains; minimum services of 73% (high‑speed) and 65% (medium‑distance) remain, while the union protests plans for Renfe Mercancías. 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spains-renfe-cancels-320-trains-as-railway-union-stages-24hour-strike ### 2026-06-26: Renfe expands summer train capacity in Catalonia and Asturias‑Madrid routes Renfe will offer about 4.7 million summer seats in Catalonia and add a new Sunday AVE Gijón‑Madrid service plus Monday schedule tweaks, boosting capacity on Asturias‑Madrid routes. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/huelvasevilla-rail-disruption-fuels-andalusia-travel-chaos ### 2026-06-25: Andalusia railway chaos prompts regional government to demand more investment Andalusia’s regional government says recurring railway failures and cable thefts are harming tourism and urges the Spanish central government to increase investment in rail and road maintenance. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andalusia-railway-chaos-prompts-regional-government-to-demand-more-investment ### 2026-06-06: Andalusia expands rail infrastructure with Almería high‑speed line and coastal extension to Motril Andalusia promotes rail development, reporting job gains from the Almería high‑speed line and adding a coastal rail extension to Motril in regional plans. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andalusia-expands-rail-infrastructure-with-almera-highspeed-line-and-coastal-extension-to-motril --- Cite as: Spanish rail strikes and service disruptions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/andalusia-rail-development-and-challenges