Spain Railway Strikes March 13-26: Valencia Metrovalencia 9 Days Hit During Fallas Festival, Alicante TRAM 6 Days Paralyzed, SEMAF Union Demands Safety Fixes After Infrastructure Failures, 168-Hour Non-Stop Service Disrupted, 3 Million Journeys Affected

Breaking: Spain’s Valencia and Alicante regional rail systems face 14-day disruption (March 13-26, 2026) as SEMAF union (Spanish Union of Railway Drivers and Assistants) launches partial strikes at Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV)—Metrovalencia struck 9 days (March 13-19, 24, 26) during Fallas festival peak, TRAM d’Alacant struck 6 days (March 13, 16, 18, 20, 24, 26)—with drivers walking out in three daily time slots (7-10 AM, 1-4 PM, 7-9 PM) demanding urgent safety fixes after exhausting negotiations over deteriorating infrastructure (temporary speed restrictions, faulty interlockings, obsolete equipment), inadequate lighting, rundown rolling stock, and “stone-age operational methods” that normalize risks following October 2024 DANA flood damage, threatening Valencia’s planned 168-hour non-stop Fallas service (March 13-20) expected to carry 3 million passengers. Here’s what every Spain traveler needs to know now.

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Published: March 13, 2026 (Friday) — STRIKE BEGINS TODAY
Strike Duration: March 13-26, 2026 (14-day period)
Union: SEMAF (Sindicato Español de Maquinistas y Ayudantes Ferroviarios)
Employer: Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV)
Services Affected: Metrovalencia (Valencia) + TRAM d’Alacant (Alicante)
Valencia strike days: March 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 26 (9 days)
Alicante strike days: March 13, 16, 18, 20, 24, 26 (6 days)
Strike hours (all days): 07:00-10:00, 13:00-16:00, 19:00-21:00 (9 hours/day!)
Root Cause: Safety crisis (deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate training, post-DANA flood failures)

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The Spain Railway Strike Crisis in Numbers

Friday, March 13, 2026 marks Day 1 of a 14-day partial strike as SEMAF union drivers at Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) launch coordinated walkouts across Metrovalencia (Valencia’s metro/tram system, 9 strike days) and TRAM d’Alacant (Alicante’s tram network, 6 strike days), implementing three daily time slots (7-10 AM, 1-4 PM, 7-9 PM = 9 hours/day shutdowns) during Valencia’s Fallas festival (March 13-19 = busiest week of year, 3 million expected journeys!) after union claims FGV management operates with “stone-age methods,” normalizes safety failures (temporary speed restrictions, faulty interlockings, obsolete equipment, inadequate lighting), and failed to properly train staff on new systems installed after October 2024 DANA flood devastation, creating “highly dangerous” conditions for drivers and passengers.

Spain Railway Strikes (March 13-26):

✈️ Duration: 14-day period (March 13-26)
✈️ Union: SEMAF (Spanish Union of Railway Drivers and Assistants)
✈️ Employer: FGV (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana)
✈️ Services: Metrovalencia (Valencia) + TRAM d’Alacant (Alicante)

Valencia Metrovalencia Strike:

✈️ Strike days: March 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 26 (9 days TOTAL)
✈️ March 13 hours: 11:00-15:00, 21:00-23:59 (different schedule Day 1!)
✈️ March 14-19, 24, 26 hours: 07:00-10:00, 13:00-16:00, 19:00-21:00 (3 time slots)
✈️ Total shutdown hours/day: ~9 hours (covers peak commute + midday!)
✈️ Fallas festival impact: March 13-19 = HIGHEST passenger volume week of year!

Alicante TRAM d’Alacant Strike:

✈️ Strike days: March 13, 16, 18, 20, 24, 26 (6 days TOTAL)
✈️ Strike hours (all days): 07:00-10:00, 13:00-16:00, 19:00-21:00 (3 time slots)
✈️ Total shutdown hours/day: 9 hours

Fallas Festival Context (Valencia):

✈️ Dates: March 13-19, 2026 (week-long celebration)
✈️ Expected passengers: 3 million journeys on Metrovalencia (Fallas week)
✈️ FGV planned service: 168-hour non-stop operation (March 13-20 = 7 days continuous!)
✈️ Scheduled trains: 13,000+ train/tram services during Fallas
✈️ Fleet: “Virtually entire fleet” deployed for Fallas (normally ~80% utilization)
✈️ Result: Strike disrupts Spain’s biggest annual festival transport plan!

Safety Crisis (Root Cause):

✈️ Infrastructure failures: Temporary speed restrictions, faulty interlockings, obsolete equipment
✈️ Post-DANA flood damage: October 29, 2024 flood destroyed sections (Picanya area)
✈️ Inadequate training: External contractors installed new traffic control, FGV staff NOT trained!
✈️ Lighting deficiencies: Inadequate track and platform lighting
✈️ Rolling stock: Rundown trains, shortage of spare parts
✈️ Operational risks: Union claims drivers forced to operate in “dodgy conditions”

Interpretation: SEMAF using Fallas festival timing (Valencia’s biggest event = maximum disruption + visibility) to pressure FGV into urgent safety fixes, with union claiming management “belittles drivers” as final safety backstop while running “stone-age” operations that normalized infrastructure failures after October 2024 DANA flood (€400M+ damage) left systems inadequately repaired and staff untrained on new equipment.

Valencia Metrovalencia: 9-Day Strike During Fallas Festival

Valencia’s Metrovalencia system—combining metro and tram lines serving 2 million+ residents—faces 9 days of partial strikes (March 13-19, 24, 26) during Fallas festival, Spain’s most important regional celebration.

Metrovalencia Strike Schedule:

Friday March 13 (TODAY!):

✈️ 11:00-15:00 (4-hour midday shutdown)
✈️ 21:00-23:59 (3-hour evening/night shutdown)
✈️ Total: 7 hours disrupted (different from other strike days!)

Saturday March 14 – Wednesday March 19 (6 days):

✈️ 07:00-10:00 (3-hour morning rush shutdown)
✈️ 13:00-16:00 (3-hour midday shutdown)
✈️ 19:00-21:00 (2-hour evening rush shutdown)
✈️ Total: 8 hours/day disrupted

Tuesday March 24 + Thursday March 26 (2 days):

✈️ 07:00-10:00 (3-hour morning rush shutdown)
✈️ 13:00-16:00 (3-hour midday shutdown)
✈️ 19:00-21:00 (2-hour evening rush shutdown)
✈️ Total: 8 hours/day disrupted

Why Metrovalencia Strike Devastates Fallas:

Fallas Festival Background:

• Dates: March 13-19, 2026 (week-long celebration)
• UNESCO: Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (since 2016)
• Description: Giant satirical sculptures (fallas) built throughout Valencia, then burned March 19 night
• Daily events: Mascletà (2:00 PM fireworks), street parties, parades, ofrenda (flower offering)
• Tourism: 3+ million visitors to Valencia during Fallas week
• Transport: Metrovalencia = primary public transport (city gridlock otherwise!)

FGV’s Planned 168-Hour Non-Stop Service:

FGV announced unprecedented 7-day continuous operation (March 13-20) for Fallas 2026:

✈️ Start: Friday March 13, 5:00 AM
✈️ End: Friday March 20, 5:00 AM
✈️ Duration: 168 hours straight (NO overnight closures!)
✈️ Scheduled services: 13,000+ train/tram trips
✈️ Capacity: 5.8 million passenger seats
✈️ Distance: 200,000 km traveled (equivalent to circling Earth 5 times!)
✈️ Expected journeys: 3 million passengers during Fallas week
✈️ Fleet: Virtually entire Metrovalencia fleet deployed

Strike Impact on 168-Hour Service:

• Problem: FGV planned continuous service BUT drivers striking 9 hours/day!
• Result: “Non-stop” service interrupted by strikes = chaos for Fallas attendees
• Timing: Strike hours (11 AM-3 PM, 7-9 PM) = peak Fallas event times!

Example—Fallas Tourist:

Emma booked Valencia Fallas trip:

• Wednesday March 19: Attend 2:00 PM mascletà (fireworks) in Plaza del Ayuntamiento, then evening ofrenda (flower offering)
• Plan: Take Metrovalencia from hotel to city center (2:00 PM), return after ofrenda (9:00 PM)

Reality:

• 1:00-4:00 PM: Strike hours (mascletà timing!)
• 7:00-9:00 PM: Strike hours (ofrenda timing!)
• Result: BOTH trips disrupted, forced to walk/taxi/bus (city gridlock = nightmare!)

Alicante TRAM d’Alacant: 6-Day Strike Paralyzes Costa Blanca

Alicante’s TRAM d’Alacant—serving Alicante city + coastal towns (Benidorm connector)—faces 6 days of partial strikes (March 13, 16, 18, 20, 24, 26).

TRAM d’Alacant Strike Schedule:

All 6 Strike Days:

✈️ 07:00-10:00 (3-hour morning rush shutdown)
✈️ 13:00-16:00 (3-hour midday shutdown)
✈️ 19:00-21:00 (2-hour evening rush shutdown)
✈️ Total: 8 hours/day disrupted

Why TRAM Strike Hurts Alicante:

TRAM d’Alacant Network:

• Lines: 5 tram lines (L1, L2, L3, L4, L9)
• Coverage: Alicante city, Benidorm, San Vicente, Campello coastal towns
• Purpose: Commuter transport + tourist connections (beaches, shopping)
• Spring tourism: March = peak Costa Blanca season (beaches, golf, resorts)

Example—Benidorm Tourist:

Carlos staying in Benidorm, plans Alicante city day trip:

• Tuesday March 18: Take TRAM from Benidorm to Alicante (morning), explore city, return evening
• Plan: TRAM Benidorm → Alicante (9:00 AM departure), return (8:00 PM)

Reality:

• 7:00-10:00 AM: Strike hours (morning trip disrupted!)
• 7:00-9:00 PM: Strike hours (evening return disrupted!)
• Alternative: Bus (slower, less frequent, more expensive) OR taxi (€40-50 vs €4 TRAM!)

The Safety Crisis: Why Drivers Are Striking

SEMAF union cites nine critical safety issues driving the strike:

1. Deteriorating Infrastructure

The Problem:

• Temporary speed restrictions: Drivers forced to slow down due to track defects
• Normalized: FGV treats temporary restrictions as permanent (not fixing underlying issues!)
• Safety risk: Speed restrictions = recognition tracks unsafe, yet FGV allows operations

2. Faulty Interlockings (Signal Systems)

The Problem:

• Interlockings: Electronic systems preventing train collisions (block simultaneous track access)
• Faults: New interlocking systems malfunctioning (installed post-DANA flood)
• Safety risk: Faulty signals = collision risk (drivers must rely on manual oversight)

3. Inadequate On-Board Equipment

The Problem:

• Driver cabins: Outdated equipment, poor ergonomics
• Communication systems: Unreliable radio/emergency communications
• Safety risk: Equipment failures during emergencies = delayed response

4. Rundown Rolling Stock

The Problem:

• Old trains: Metrovalencia fleet aging, insufficient modernization
• Spare parts shortage: Delays in repairs (trains operating with deferred maintenance)
• Safety risk: Mechanical failures during service = breakdowns, accidents

5. Obsolete Infrastructure

The Problem:

• Track condition: Sections deteriorating, inadequate renewal budget
• Station facilities: Aging platforms, escalators, elevators
• Post-DANA damage: October 2024 flood destroyed infrastructure (Picanya section), repairs substandard

6. Inadequate Track/Platform Lighting

The Problem:

• Poor visibility: Drivers operate in inadequate lighting conditions
• Platform safety: Passengers at risk (poor lighting = trip/fall hazards)
• Safety risk: Driver fatigue worsened by eye strain

7. No Proper Exceptional Situation Protocols

The Problem:

• Emergency procedures: FGV lacks clear protocols for floods, fires, evacuations
• Post-DANA lesson: October 2024 flood exposed inadequate emergency response
• Training gap: Drivers not trained on new post-DANA equipment

8. Inadequate Training (Post-DANA Critical!)

The Critical Issue:

October 29, 2024 DANA Flood:

• Damage: Catastrophic flooding destroyed Picanya section of Metrovalencia
• Repairs: External contractors installed new traffic control unit (enclavamiento)
• Training: FGV staff NOT trained on new equipment!
• Result: Drivers operating trains with new safety systems they don’t understand!

SEMAF’s Concern:

“The installation of the traffic control unit was carried out by an external contractor, and FGV staff did not receive adequate training on how to operate the new equipment.”

Safety Risk:

• Drivers using unfamiliar safety systems = higher accident risk
• External contractors left, no knowledge transfer to FGV staff

9. “Stone-Age Operational Methods”

SEMAF Union Quote:

José Javier Bleda, SEMAF Secretary for Regional Railways:

“FGV runs the show with stone-age methods, belittling drivers as the final safety backstop.”

What This Means:

• Management attitude: FGV relies on drivers to compensate for infrastructure failures
• Blame culture: Drivers held responsible when systems fail (not management!)
• Professional recognition: SEMAF demands fair job classification recognizing civil/criminal liability

SEMAF’s Full Demands

Beyond safety fixes, SEMAF demands professional recognition:

Collective Bargaining Demands:

1. Job grading: Recognize civil and criminal liability of train driver role
2. Shift work compensation: Acknowledge family-unfriendly rosters (rotating shifts, nights, weekends)
3. Physical/mental toll: Compensation for high-stress role (constant vigilance, passenger safety responsibility)
4. Discipline exposure: Drivers face sanctions for minor infractions (vs other job grades)
5. Work-life balance: Better scheduling to allow family time

Infrastructure Demands:

1. Infrastructure renewal: Upgrade obsolete tracks, platforms, equipment
2. Eliminate operational risks: Fix temporary speed restrictions, faulty interlockings
3. Better signaling: Clear labeling, modern interlocking systems
4. Lighting improvements: Adequate track and platform illumination
5. Emergency protocols: Develop clear procedures for exceptional situations (floods, fires)
6. Specialist training: Proper onboarding for new hires, certification programs

What Spain Travelers Should Do Now

If You’re Visiting Valencia During Fallas (March 13-19):

1. Expect MASSIVE Metrovalencia disruptions (NOT normal service!):
   • 9 strike days during Fallas = worst possible timing!
   • Strike hours (11 AM-3 PM, 7-9 PM March 13; 7-10 AM, 1-4 PM, 7-9 PM other days) = peak Fallas event times
2. Use alternative transport:
   • EMT Valencia buses: City bus network (NOT affected by strike)
     • Fallas special routes added for festival
     • Check emtvalencia.es for schedules
   • Walk: Valencia city center = compact, walkable
   • Bicycle: Valencia has Valenbisi bike-share (NOT affected)
   • Taxi/Uber: Available BUT expensive + traffic gridlock during Fallas!
3. Plan around strike hours:
   • Avoid metro 11 AM-3 PM Friday March 13 (mascletà timing!)
   • Avoid metro 7-10 AM, 1-4 PM, 7-9 PM Saturday-Wednesday (March 14-19)
   • Use metro OUTSIDE strike hours: Before 7 AM, 10 AM-1 PM, 4-7 PM, after 9 PM
4. Check FGV real-time status:
   • Metrovalencia alerts: metrovalencia.es/avisos (official updates)
   • Twitter/X: @Metrovalencia (live service info)
5. Book accommodation near Fallas events:
   • City center hotels: Walk to Plaza del Ayuntamiento (mascletà), avoid metro dependence
   • Consider: Hotel near Xàtiva metro station (multiple lines = backup options)

If You’re Visiting Alicante/Costa Blanca (March 13-26):

1. Expect TRAM disruptions 6 days:
   • March 13, 16, 18, 20, 24, 26 = strike days
   • 7-10 AM, 1-4 PM, 7-9 PM = shutdown hours
2. Use alternative transport:
   • ALSA buses: Alicante-Benidorm, Alicante-San Vicente (NOT affected)
   • Renfe Cercanías: Commuter trains (separate operator, NOT affected)
   • Taxi: Available BUT expensive (Alicante-Benidorm = €40-50 vs €4 TRAM!)
3. Check TRAM status:
   • TRAM d’Alacant alerts: tramalicante.es/avisos (official updates)
   • Twitter/X: @TRAMdAlacant (live service info)

If You’re a Local Commuter (Valencia/Alicante):

1. Work from home if possible (March 13-19 Valencia, March 13-26 Alicante):
   • Employers: Consider remote work flexibility during strike
2. Use alternative routes:
   • EMT buses (Valencia): City bus network
   • ALSA buses (Alicante): Intercity connections
3. Adjust commute times:
   • Avoid: 7-10 AM, 1-4 PM, 7-9 PM (strike hours!)
   • Commute: Before 7 AM OR 10 AM-1 PM OR 4-7 PM OR after 9 PM

When Will This End?

Short Answer: Strike scheduled through Thursday March 26, but extension possible.

SEMAF’s Position:

“The planned mobilizations between March 13 and 26 constitute, for now, the first strike schedule called by the union on FGV’s networks.”

“For Now” = Warning:

• SEMAF may extend strike beyond March 26 if FGV doesn’t negotiate
• Union claims “all avenues of negotiation have been exhausted”
• No talks currently scheduled

Recovery Timeline:

Thursday March 26:

• Final scheduled strike day (Metrovalencia + TRAM d’Alacant)
• Strike hours: 7-10 AM, 1-4 PM, 7-9 PM

Friday March 27:

• Normal service resumes (IF strike not extended!)
• Valencia: Metrovalencia back to standard schedules
• Alicante: TRAM d’Alacant back to standard schedules

Wild Cards:

1. FGV negotiations: IF management agrees to safety fixes, strike could end early
2. Government intervention: Valencian regional government could mediate
3. Strike extension: SEMAF could announce additional strike days beyond March 26
4. Minimum services: Government may impose minimum service requirements (50-66% capacity during strike hours)

The Bigger Picture: Spain’s Rail Safety Crisis

The Valencia/Alicante strikes reflect broader Spanish rail safety concerns in 2026:

Recent Spanish Rail Incidents:

January 2026: Adamuz High-Speed Collision

• Location: Adamuz, Córdoba province
• Incident: High-speed train collision (details limited)
• Result: Sparked national rail safety debate
• SEMAF response: Cited as justification for Valencia/Alicante strikes

October 29, 2024: DANA Flood (Valencia)

• Event: Catastrophic flooding across Valencia region
• Damage: €400+ million infrastructure damage
• Metrovalencia: Picanya section destroyed, required complete rebuild
• Recovery: External contractors installed new systems WITHOUT training FGV staff
• Ongoing impact: March 2026 strikes cite inadequate post-DANA repairs

SEMAF National Strikes (February 2026):

• Dates: February 9-11, 2026
• Scope: Sector-wide rail strike across Spain
• Cause: Demand safety improvements after fatal accidents
• Result: Temporary service disruptions, negotiations ongoing

Pattern:

• Infrastructure underinvestment: Decades of deferred maintenance catching up
• Safety vs. budget: Operators prioritize cost-cutting over safety
• Union resistance: SEMAF using strikes to force safety improvements
• Government response: Slow to act, imposes minimum services instead of addressing root causes

The Bottom Line

Spain’s Valencia and Alicante railway strike (March 13-26, 2026) paralyzes Metrovalencia 9 days (March 13-19, 24, 26 during Fallas festival peak) and TRAM d’Alacant 6 days (March 13, 16, 18, 20, 24, 26) as SEMAF union drivers walk out 9 hours daily (7-10 AM, 1-4 PM, 7-9 PM) after FGV management “exhausted negotiations” over deteriorating infrastructure (temporary speed restrictions, faulty interlockings, obsolete equipment), inadequate post-DANA flood training (external contractors installed new traffic control systems, FGV staff NOT trained!), rundown rolling stock, lighting deficiencies, and “stone-age operational methods” that normalize safety risks, threatening Valencia’s unprecedented 168-hour non-stop Fallas service (March 13-20) planned to carry 3 million passengers during Spain’s biggest annual festival.

For travelers: Metrovalencia strike March 13-19 = WORST timing (Fallas peak!). Avoid metro 11 AM-3 PM Friday, 7-10 AM/1-4 PM/7-9 PM Saturday-Wednesday. Use EMT buses (city network), walk Valencia city center (compact!), bike-share Valenbisi. TRAM d’Alacant strike 6 days = use ALSA buses Alicante-Benidorm, Renfe Cercanías commuter trains. Check FGV real-time alerts (metrovalencia.es/avisos, tramalicante.es/avisos). Strike may extend beyond March 26 if FGV doesn’t address safety demands. SEMAF’s Fallas festival timing maximizes disruption to force negotiations, union cites January 2026 Adamuz high-speed collision + October 2024 DANA flood inadequate repairs as proof FGV prioritizes cost-cutting over passenger safety, while “for now” language warns March 13-26 = just first strike phase if demands unmet—setting precedent for Spain’s broader rail safety crisis as unions demand infrastructure investment over decades of deferred maintenance.

14-day strike. Metrovalencia 9 days. TRAM 6 days. Fallas festival chaos. 3 million passengers affected. Safety crisis. FGV “stone-age” methods. March 27 recovery IF negotiations succeed.

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For More Resources:

• Metrovalencia Alerts: metrovalencia.es/avisos
• Metrovalencia Twitter: @Metrovalencia
• TRAM d’Alacant Alerts: tramalicante.es/avisos
• TRAM d’Alacant Twitter: @TRAMdAlacant
• EMT Valencia (city buses): emtvalencia.es
• Valencia Fallas Official: fallas.com

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Posted By : Vinay

As a lead contributor for Travel Tourister, Vinay is dedicated to serving our Tier 1 audience (US, UK, Canada, Australia). His mission is to deliver precise, fact-checked news and actionable, data-driven articles that empower readers to make informed decisions, minimize travel risks, and maximize their adventure without compromising safety or budget.