The alternative transport plan that Renfe had intended to bring into service on Friday 30 October to replace Madrid–Andalusia trains will not be able to enter service tomorrow. As a result, only one Media Distancia service via Extremadura will operate in each direction between Madrid and Seville.
According to a statement issued by the operator, the SEMAF union has insisted on strict compliance with the regulatory 96-hour notice period for changing duty rosters, delaying implementation until Tuesday 3 November at the earliest. This demand is impossible to meet in the face of an unforeseen event such as an accident.
The measure affects the mobility alternative that Renfe was preparing in response to the disruption of the Madrid–Andalusia high-speed line, caused by the accident between Los Yébenes and Urda (Toledo), for which it has not provided details. Renfe has also not explained which part of the plan requires rail and which part buses, an area in which SEMAF has no jurisdiction. Nor has it indicated whether it intends to provide all the services that the union allegedly refuses to cover with buses.
The operator maintains that it continues to work on defining the operating arrangements and will announce, before 3 November, the timetables, routes and services available under the definitive PAT, as well as its exact date of entry into force.