Podcast Summary: “Más de uno: Tertulia – La situación del transporte”

Podcast: Más de uno (Onda Cero)
Host: Carlos Alsina
Date: January 22, 2026
Episode Theme: An in-depth and sometimes tense discussion regarding the crisis in Spanish railway services—focusing on the Adamuz train accident, ongoing disruptions in Catalonia’s Rodalies network, the responsibilities of officials and operators, concerns about infrastructure safety, and broader implications for public trust in transport.

Overview

This episode focuses on the significant disruptions and safety concerns affecting Spain’s railway system in January 2026. The hosts and guests analyze the recent deadly accidents, the suspension of Rodalies commuter service in Catalonia, official and media responses, and the standoff between train drivers’ unions and ADIF/Renfe (Spain’s major rail operators). Key testimonies from union representatives and accident survivors bring urgency and gravity to the discussion, while listeners are encouraged to reflect on public confidence in train travel and the state’s handling of such crises.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Current Situation: Rodalies Suspended in Catalonia

• Host (Carlos Alsina, 00:15): Begins by summarizing the “chaotic” status in Catalonia: “está suspendido el servicio de cercanías en Cataluña... con todo lo que eso trae consigo, ya lo vimos ayer con problemas muy serios, problemas de caos en la movilidad...”
• The government is recommending teleworking, but most workers cannot. Increased road traffic is causing further problems due to partial closures of the AP-7 motorway (00:45).
• Media landscape: Newspapers focus on the Adamuz accident and Catalan train disruptions, with Minister Óscar Puente under the spotlight for insufficient explanations (01:30–05:00).

2. Media and Political Reactions to Adamuz Accident

• Summary of Media Critique:
  • ABC and La Razón criticize Minister Puente for dodging explanations, while El Mundo suggests technical evidence is piling up against official narratives (02:30–04:00).
  • Editorials demand ADIF restore public confidence and highlight chronic technical incidents in Catalonia (El País, La Vanguardia) (05:10).
• Political context:
  • Opposition parties (PP, Vox) are increasing pressure but stop short of demanding resignations. There’s talk of PSOE’s long incumbency (06:00–07:30).
• International aside: Brief mention of a US/NATO-Greenland agreement (07:35), returning swiftly to domestic topics.

3. Interview: Diego Martín Fernández, Secretary General, SEMAF (Train Drivers’ Union)

• On safety guarantees and stoppage:
  • SEMAF demanded written safety guarantees after multiple accidents, specifically due to recent infrastructure failures not being addressed (14:55–16:11).
  • “No se ha cumplido ese procedimiento... no había garantías, ni siquiera por escrito... que entendemos que no es de los propios maquinistas, para retomar el servicio.” [Diego Martín, 15:05]
• On whether drivers could face sanctions:
  • “Casi preferimos mantener la integridad de los usuarios y de los propios profesionales que el trabajar simplemente por dar servicio...” [Diego Martín, 17:32]
• On whether train travel is safe:
  • “El sistema ferroviario es seguro en su conjunto, pero tiene que mejorar muchísimo y... escuchar a los profesionales.” [Diego Martín, 20:00]
• On the government’s framing of the stoppage as “anímico”:
  • “No tiene nada que ver el estado anímico con las decisiones que toma el colectivo...” [Diego Martín, 21:04]
• On reporting defects and the response:
  • Complaints about central authorities “normalizing” defects instead of acting, with reports not always resulting in action (25:05–28:16).
  • “Centenares de maquinistas han reportado el estado... y muchas veces no han recibido ni siquiera respuesta.” [Diego Martín, 27:36]

4. Roundtable Reactions to the Union Testimony

• Rubén Amón (29:17): Notes that drivers are requesting only minimum safety measures. Points out the contradiction between ending tolls (removal of AP-7 tolls in 2021) and diminishing infrastructure maintenance: “A lo mejor nos hemos de plantear si el modelo de no peajes sin mantenimiento provoca situaciones como las que se produjeron ayer…”
• Marisol Parada (31:21): Emphasizes this is ultimately a crisis of public trust. Highlights the importance of addressing and communicating safety clearly and not reducing everything to “maquinistas que no quieren trabajar.”
• Carlos Alsina (35:42): Points out a shift—unions are now using the word “seguridad,” i.e., safety. “Cuando ya introduces el elemento de la falta de seguridad en las vías, entonces estás sugiriendo que va más allá de la comodidad…”
• General sentiment: There is a brewing “psicosis” (public unease), with empty trains and visible anxiety among travelers.

5. Testimony from a Passenger: Augusto Zunzunegui (Adamuz Accident Survivor, 42:01–54:34)

• Experience in the crash:
  • “Un golpe metálico por debajo brutal... empieza a traquetear primero, como a dar muchos botes y a moverse de un lado a otro... yo pensaba que íbamos a volcar ahí.” [Augusto Zunzunegui, 43:10]
  • Passengers weren’t initially aware how serious the multi-train collision was—first awareness only came when a passenger from the other train walked over two hours later to get help.
  • “Lo que nos ha dicho ahora la persona a la que entrevistaba Carlos no se ha atrevido.” [Marisol Parada, analyzing the testimony, 35:33]
• On emergency response:
  • “La primera ambulancia aparece a las 8 y cuarto... nos evacúan [del tren] a las nueve menos cuarto, es decir, una hora más tarde del accidente… Pero me sigue sorprendiendo que al otro tren, dos horas después, nadie supiera que estaba ahí y nadie fuera a prestarles atención.” [Augusto Zunzunegui, 46:32, 52:59]
• Discussion after the testimony:
  • Panel expresses shock at the communications/coordination failures—how could emergency services not know about both trains? “Pues no lo puede cometer quien no lo puede cometer es Atocha.” [Carlos Alsina, 56:56]
  • Panel notes the unsettling confusion and lack of real-time information during the rescue.

6. Statistical and Sociological Perspective (Ignacio Urquizu, 59:32–66:40)

• Usage data:
  • 510 million travelers in one month (Nov 2025); bus is most used (80 million), then train (59 million).
  • High-speed rail is growing but is still not the primary choice—even in big “AVE” years, only a minority use it due to price and access.
• Safety perception:
  • Statistically, train and air travel are far safer than cars—over 1,000 road deaths yearly, very few on trains or planes.
• Public response to disasters:
  • After major transport disasters, travelers often avoid the affected mode, even if statistically safer—a well-known “risk perception” paradox.
  • “Por lo tanto, la previsión es que... bajará seguramente el uso del tren, pero será una cuestión temporal... es uno de los medios más seguros que tenemos ahora mismo.” [Urquizu, 66:30]
• Sociology of train use:
  • Enthusiasm for train travel is highest except among certain groups (Vox voters, upper classes).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On government response:

• “No sabemos lo que ocurrió, pero sí que no ha sido nuestra responsabilidad.” – Rubén Amón (10:20)
• “Olvídense del mantenimiento de la vía. Olvídense de la inversión.” – Rubén Amón (10:25)

On union frustration:

• “Centenares de maquinistas han reportado... y muchas veces no han recibido ni siquiera respuesta.” – Diego Martín Fernández (27:36)
• “No tiene nada que ver el estado anímico con las decisiones que toma el colectivo...” – Diego Martín Fernández (21:04)

Survivor’s testimony:

• “Un golpe metálico por debajo brutal... empieza a traquetear primero... yo pensaba que íbamos a volcar ahí.” – Augusto Zunzunegui (43:10)
• “[A otros trenes] dos horas después, nadie supiera que estaba ahí y nadie fuera a prestarles atención.” – Augusto Zunzunegui (52:59)

On public trust:

• “...lo que se está trasladando es una crisis de confianza en uno de los sistemas más vertebradores, que son el tren, más democráticos...” – Marisol Parada (31:21)

On public safety statistics:

• “Si hay un medio seguro es el tren y es el avión a la hora de desplazarse.” – Ignacio Urquizu (63:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:15–12:45: Overview, press round-up, and setting the scene.
• 14:55–28:20: Interview with Diego Martín Fernández (SEMAF).
• 29:17–38:13: Panel analysis and debate over union testimony and the government’s management.
• 42:01–54:34: Testimony from survivor Augusto Zunzunegui—Adamuz crash.
• 59:32–66:40: Statistical/social analysis by Ignacio Urquizu—patterns in transport use, safety data, and perception.
• Other segments: Lighter or off-topic moments (e.g., taurine asides, film reviews) skip over substantive transport discussion.

Tone & Style

The tone combines serious analysis, empathy, and experienced skepticism. Carlos Alsina and panelists maintain a probing, journalistic approach, giving space for expert and first-hand voices, but also for critical debate and humor. Listeners are addressed as fellow citizens caught in a moment of crisis, where both reliable information and institutional transparency are in high demand.

Summary Takeaways

• The Spanish rail system faces a profound crisis of confidence, triggered by deadly accidents, growing evidence of insufficient maintenance, and a perception of official obfuscation.
• Frontline workers (train drivers) are refusing to operate without written guarantees of safety; unions highlight years of ignored warnings.
• The public is left in limbo with suspended commuter services and intensifying road congestion.
• Survivor stories and real-time testimonies put a human face to the statistics and system failures, intensifying calls for reforms and transparency.
• Despite the gravity of the recent events, official statistics remind the audience that trains remain among the safest transport modes.
• The panel and interviewees agree on the urgency of restoring trust, communication, and proper investment in public transport infrastructure.