Valencia’s Transport Network Is Going Off The Rails And Hitting The Buffers This Month

Weary Valencian commuters are facing days of frustration, with rail services in and out of Estación de Norte cancelled because of a wildcat strike called by conductors’ union SEMAF and declared illegal by rail operator RENFE, reports Daniel Hazelhoff

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Thousands of Spaniards and hundreds of Valencians are unable to travel due to a strike held by rail conductors. As many as 50% of trains have been cancelled at the time of writing. Little effort appears to have been put into offering ticket refunds. After 10pm tonight, Friday 1 October, no trains are guaranteed to leave from nor arrive at Valencia’s Estación de Norte. The strike will be active today and various days over the next fortnight, namely on 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11 and 12 of October, according to RENFE. 

Three years have gone by since Valencia first took the lead in the table for impunctuality and irregular service for trains. Strikers say that there simply aren’t enough conductors and that those who do work aren’t being compensated properly for their efforts. Despite government promises from the president of the Generalitat Ximo Puig of investment and improvement, no appreciable signs of change have been observed.

More than 20 trains have been cancelled. Valencia is the most affected city in Spain during this strike, with hour-long waits and uninformed cancellations, while Valencia’s Estación de Norte finds itself in a state of unrest and chaos, according to valencianews.es. 

The Spanish Syndicate of Conductors (SEMAF) called the strike yesterday, 30 September, when many conductors simply refused to show up for work, and the city is feeling their absence. According to RENFE, the minimum services set for the conductors’ strike have not been fulfilled “since the beginning of the first day of the strike, called by the conductors’ union SEMAF, alterations have been taking place in the provision of the Cercanías service of Valencia caused by the unjustified absence of some conductors who, having a letter of minimum services (mandatory), have not presented themselves for work”.

As the battle between RENFE and SEMAF continues, we can only hope the situation means an improved situation both for conductors and passengers, and the efficiency of the rail network itself.