Rodalies train drivers gathered at Barcelona’s Sants station on Monday afternoon. They protested against critical safety failures and a chronic lack of investment in the railway network. The demonstration took place shortly before a scheduled three-day strike was called off. However, underlying tensions regarding passenger and staff safety remain unresolved.
The protest was driven by the ongoing crisis in the Catalan railway system. This crisis intensified following the death of a train driver in an accident in Gelida on 20 January. Meanwhile, workers argue that the structural dangers facing the network are being ignored.
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Rodalies Train Drivers Protest: ‘No One Listens to Us’
Martí Fuentes, a driver present at the rally, summarised the collective frustration of the workforce. “We are here to demand that the network be safe. We know there are major problems with the infrastructure and no one listens to us,” he said.
Fuentes has operated medium-distance trains in Tarragona for four years. He described hazardous episodes as a recurring part of the job. He cited incidents ranging from branches obstructing lines to stones placed on the tracks. “It cannot be that we know there are serious problems with the infrastructure and no action is taken,” he added.
Rodalies Train Drivers Protest Systemic Neglect
The Catalan Railway Union (Sindicato Ferroviario de Cataluña) contends that the current instability is the inevitable result of long-term policy decisions. Spokesperson José Peñarroya rejected the notion that recent accidents were isolated incidents. Instead, he pointed to a diversion of resources toward high-speed rail at the expense of the conventional network.
“Renfe and the Ministry have bet on long-distance investments while preventive maintenance was abandoned. That explains the situation we have today,” Peñarroya stated. He called for an audit of how resources are allocated.
Rodalies Train Drivers Protest Precarious Training Conditions
Beyond infrastructure, the protest highlighted the vulnerable status of trainee drivers. The fatal accident in Gelida claimed the life of Fernando Huerta, an intern. Consequently, the conditions of new recruits came under scrutiny.
A colleague of Huerta, who preferred to remain anonymous, detailed the financial and professional precariousness faced by trainees. “During the scholarship, you receive €930 per month, not as a salary but as aid. You do not contribute to Social Security, and there is only minimal insurance for disability or death,” he explained.
He noted that trainees have no guarantee of employment until their practice period concludes. Therefore, complaining about conditions feels risky. The psychological toll of the recent tragedy has been significant. In fact, some trainees are considering abandoning the profession entirely.
Although the strike has been formally suspended, drivers warn that the safety issues persist. According to several workers, the only immediate measure available to them is the reduction of train speeds across the Rodalies network. This practice is likely to continue causing delays until structural confidence is restored. Furthermore, the situation is worsened by a chronic staff exodus from Rodalies, adding to the pressure on remaining employees.
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