Spain train strikes: cancelled Cercanías trains and long delays
The train drivers called off the strike on Monday evening and services were expected to get back to normal
The railway strike in Spain has had less impact in Malaga than in other provinces this Monday. With very few services that remain operational since the Adamuz and Álora incidents, the short-distance Cercanías lines (C1 Costa and C2 Guadalhorce) have borne the brunt of the strike.
On Monday evening what was meant to be a three-day strike ended after just a few hours when the unions called off the industrial action. This came after a meeting in which the government agreed to increase spending by 20 per cent to improve safety on the railway network.
C2 passengers had been complaining of long delays on Monday, which is the first day of the strike. SUR has verified that no trains ran from Malaga to Fuengirola between 9.20am and 10.18am on Monday, when there should be one train every 40 minutes. To the frustration of the passengers waiting at the station, several trains passed without stopping.
On Monday, Cercanías trains ran at 75% of the service's capacity in rush hour and 50% the rest of the day. In addition, big crowds of waiting passengers formed on the platforms. This caused frustration among rushing workers and confusion among tourists who didn't know that there was a strike.
Support for the protesters
Despite the inconvenience, many passengers told SUR that they support the strike. "I've come with enough time," secondary school teacher Marina said, while waiting for her regular train to Torremolinos. "Everyone has the right to demand better working conditions. I understand why they do it," she stated.
