Renfe passengers across the Valencian Community face a substantial reduction in services from Tuesday, 10 November. The Spanish train drivers’ union Semaf is maintaining a 24-hour strike on Tuesday followed by partial stoppages on Thursday 12 November. The action covers all Renfe group companies and will affect Valencia commuter rail, Media Distancia and Avant regional trains, as well as long-distance services to and from Valencia, Alicante and Castellón.
The Ministry of Transport has set minimum service levels, but these do not amount to a normal timetable. Valencia commuter trains will run at 75% of the usual level from 6am to 9am, 1.30pm to 3.30pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Coverage falls to 50% outside those periods. Media Distancia will average 65%, while high-speed and long-distance services will operate at 72%.
A minimum timetable does not guarantee every departure
The previous strike on 29 October gives passengers reason to treat those percentages cautiously. Renfe acknowledged cancellations and trains that failed to depart even within the protected timetable. On commercial services in the Levante corridor, 22.2% of the scheduled minimum high-speed trains and 20% of Euromed services were cancelled, according to the operator’s own assessment. Commuter and other public services were also disrupted.
For an essential journey, it is therefore not enough to assume that three out of four peak-hour trains will run. The relevant information is the status of the individual service. Renfe has published its protected timetable and advises passengers to check the app, website and booking alerts before leaving. Commuter passengers, who may not hold a named ticket, should check their line shortly before travel and allow for a longer wait.
Tuesday’s strike runs from 12.01am to 11.59pm. Semaf has announced partial stoppages throughout Thursday, although Renfe’s published minimum levels cover both dates. The union links the action to rail safety demands, severe-weather protocols, rolling-stock reliability and driver recruitment.
Options for affected ticket holders
Renfe is allowing passengers whose train is affected to change or cancel their ticket without charge. The operator normally sends cancellation or rebooking information by email or text message when contact details are available, but passengers should still verify their journey. If a train remains scheduled and a passenger chooses not to travel, they should first check whether their fare or the strike arrangements allow a refund.
Disruption may extend beyond a cancelled departure. The October strike caused delays lasting several hours and left limited capacity to rebook passengers in the Levante corridor. Anyone travelling for a medical appointment, a flight connection or another fixed-time commitment should consider an alternative before reaching the station and retain tickets, receipts and Renfe messages in case a claim is needed.
The next firm update will come during Tuesday’s operation, when Renfe reports on compliance with minimum services and any further incidents. If the union and operator reach an agreement before Thursday, the second day could be changed or called off; for now, it remains scheduled.