Possible Rail Disruptions in Mallorca as Safety Dispute Escalates

Wednesday, January 28th, 2026

Workers and regional government exchange positions amid talks to avert stoppages

Rail services in Mallorca could face partial disruptions in the coming days after workers at Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca (SFM) voted to begin industrial action over what they describe as ongoing safety shortcomings across the island’s railway network.

The dispute has prompted a public exchange of statements between the workforce and the Balearic regional government, alongside last-minute talks aimed at preventing service interruptions.

Why are SFM workers considering stoppages?

Following a general assembly held at Palma’s Intermodal Station, SFM employees agreed to prepare partial stoppages as a form of protest. According to worker representatives, the decision stems from long-standing concerns about insufficient investment, staffing shortages and what they see as a lack of concrete safety measures.

Union representatives argue that these issues pose risks not only to railway staff but also to passengers. They say the move towards industrial action was taken after repeated warnings went unanswered and describe the situation as “no longer sustainable”.

The decision comes in a wider national context, following recent fatal railway accidents on the mainland, which have reignited debate about rail safety standards across Spain.

Government response: “The network is safe”

The Balearic government has sought to reassure the public, insisting that Mallorca’s railway system is safe and that significant investments have already been made.

José Luis Mateo, Minister for Housing, Territory and Mobility, stated that his department is open to negotiations but has asked the SFM works council to clearly outline its specific safety demands. He stressed that any industrial action should be based on clearly defined reasons and maintained that complaints raised so far have either been resolved or are in progress.

The minister also urged that incidents elsewhere in Spain should not automatically be linked to the situation in Mallorca, highlighting what he described as ongoing improvements and oversight.

Investments and safety measures highlighted

Among the measures cited by the regional government are:

• The upcoming creation of a rail traffic safety commission, a long-standing request from workers
• The hiring of specialist engineers dedicated solely to safety
• Planned improvements to visibility systems on trains, including mirrors and camera adjustments
• Major financial commitments, including tens of millions of euros for track and train maintenance and the rollout of the ERTMS European rail safety system

According to the authorities, these actions demonstrate a continued commitment to improving safety standards across the network.

Talks held to prevent disruption

After workers confirmed their intention to proceed with partial stoppages, SFM management moved quickly to call an urgent meeting with workforce representatives. The aim of the talks is to open a formal dialogue channel and potentially prevent disruptions before a stoppage timetable is finalised.

Worker representatives have welcomed the meeting as a positive step, but caution that discussions will only be meaningful if they result in clear, binding agreements, particularly on safety.

What passengers should know

At present, no confirmed dates or times for rail stoppages have been announced. However, travellers in Mallorca are advised to stay informed, as partial service interruptions remain a possibility if talks fail.

Both sides have stated that dialogue is ongoing, and any developments regarding service changes are expected to be communicated in the coming days.

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