Madrid-Barcelona AVE Drivers Reduce Speed Over Safety Concerns

The collective, mostly affiliated with the SEMAF union, limits circulation to 230 km/h on the stretch between Madrid and Calatayud due to disagreements with Renfe.

Vies de tren d'alta velocitat en un tram recte, simbolitzant la infraestructura ferroviària i la seguretat.

Vies de tren d'alta velocitat en un tram recte, simbolitzant la infraestructura ferroviària i la seguretat.

The AVE train drivers collective unilaterally decided to reduce the maximum speed to 230 km/h on the segment between Madrid-Puerta de Atocha and Calatayud, affecting trains bound for Barcelona, Lleida, and Tarragona, citing safety concerns.

The action, adopted this past Monday by the drivers' collective, mainly affiliated with the SEMAF union, urges Renfe to implement this reduction from 300 to 230 km/h. This unilateral resolution arises in response to a disagreement with the operator regarding the safety and maintenance conditions of the railway infrastructure.

The measure is being applied in a context of deep concern over railway safety, especially following the tragic accident that occurred in Adamuz (Córdoba).

The drivers' decision was made just one day after the tragic railway accident that took place last Sunday in Adamuz (Córdoba), where an Iryo train derailed and collided with a Renfe Alvia train, resulting in a provisional toll of 41 fatalities.
This speed reduction, applied unilaterally on the Madrid-Zaragoza route, is already causing delays for trains heading to Catalan cities such as Lleida and Tarragona. So far, Renfe has not issued an official response to the measure.
It should be noted that on August 8, the SEMAF union had already sent a letter to the State Railway Safety Agency (AESF), expressing profound concern about the general condition of the tracks on key Spanish high-speed lines.
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