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The bus drivers’ strike planned for this week in Spain and three dates in December is going ahead.
However, only Spanish trade union CCOO will be calling on the drivers it represents to strike, after two other major unions, UGT and SLT, distanced themselves from the stoppage following a deal that was reached with the Spanish government.
Bus drivers from different sectors already took part in a nationwide strike on October 28th as a means of calling for earlier retirement in the industry as road accidents increase with age.
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On Thursday (November 28th) and Friday (November 29th), bus drivers will again take part in two 24-hour strikes.
The stoppage will affect a range of bus services, but not the whole country. If you have an important bus to catch on Thursday or Friday in Spain, it’s advisable to do so with a bit more time in hand.
Urban and interurban passenger buses: Spain’s cities will see a uneven reduction in the frequency of their regular bus lines on Thursday and Friday, making daily travel slightly harder for thousands of people but not bus users across the country.
This is largely dependant on whether bus drivers are represented by UGT or not, the only union that wants the road transport strike to continue into Christmas.
In Madrid, there will be 75 percent the usual frequency during rush hour (6am to 9.30), 50 percent the rest of the day and 45 percent for night services.
Barcelona will be more affected, with 40 to 20 percent the usual frequency throughout the day. In neighbouring Tarragona, buses will run with the reduced frequency of Sundays and public holidays.
In Seville, 50 percent of buses will hit the roads; in Zaragoza and throughout Aragón region 59 percent, and in the Basque Country’s two main cities of Bilbao and San Sebastián minimum bus services have been set, the same as in neighbouring Santander and in Salamanca.
Some cities’ passenger bus transport will remain unaffected however, such as A Coruña in Galicia or flood-hit Valencia.
In Málaga, it remains unclear a day before the scheduled strike whether city bus drivers will take part.
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Coaches and school routes: Services such as excursions, airport shuttles, school transfers and special transport will also be disrupted, affecting travellers, students and others. In some cities, this type of transport will remain unchanged on Thursday and Friday, while in others services will be reduced.
In Madrid for example, only 60 percent of school buses will be operational, whilst those for people with disabilities will work at 90 percent the usual rate.
In Barcelona, 85 percent of school buses will run as normal.
In Menorca, 40 percent of airport buses will be operational but no school buses will take part in the strike.
Freight trucks: Although the strike mainly affects passenger transport, an indirect impact is expected on freight logistics, which is especially critical around Black Friday and ahead of the Christmas season.