Travelers in Spain are facing a challenging start to the week as Renfe has been forced to cancel 320 train services this Monday, June 29. The disruption follows a strike action called by the Railway Union (SF), which coincides with the beginning of the summer holiday period for many workers.
Despite the industrial action, minimum service requirements mandated by the Ministry of Transport remain in effect to ensure a portion of the network continues to function. For High-Speed and Long-Distance routes, 262 trains are scheduled to operate, maintaining approximately 73% of normal capacity. Meanwhile, 420 services will run for Medium-Distance routes, accounting for about 65% of the planned schedule. The most significant impact is expected on Cercanías commuter services, where capacity has been reduced by half. These services are limited to peak windows: 6:00 to 9:00, 13:30 to 16:00, and 18:30 to 20:30.
The rail operator is providing options for affected passengers, including traveling on the train closest to their original departure time or modifying or cancelling tickets without additional costs through standard channels. A full list of the cancelled services is available on the Renfe website.
Monday’s stoppage marks the first of two planned 24-hour strike days, with the second event scheduled for July 15. The labor dispute centers on the future of the freight subsidiary, Renfe Mercancías. The union claims the company has engaged in a “deliberate abandonment” of the freight division and objects to the proposed joint venture with Medway, part of the MSC group.
The union further argues that the company has failed to uphold agreements signed in November 2023 and expanded in March 2025 regarding the division’s workload. Additionally, the SF has raised concerns over the outsourcing of maintenance for 65 locomotives in the 333.3 series, which was previously managed by internal Renfe staff, as well as the planned closure of the Rolling Stock Workshop in Miranda de Ebro.
