What is "minimum service" mean for the metro in Madrid?

[kellycrystal]

Hi- the news says the metro will start minimum service tomorrow. What does that mean? Are half the stations open or are the trains just really slow to arrive? Thanks for your help.

[GonzaloCruz]

The minimun services for the metro in Madrid means that tomorrow, only the half of the trains will be on service, so it will be a mess because the people will have to wait a lot until the next train arrives.

I hope you understand my bad explanation.

Best regards.

[ribeirasacra]

By law the workers can go on strike, but they must provide a minimum service. That is (as far as I can make out) 50% of the trains must run. However this time the unions called for a complete stoppage, thus breaking the law. The reason is because the government has cut the wages of all government workers by 5% because of the budget debit.
This may not be the last time something like this happens.:(

[richardksa]

It's happened twice before, in 1984 and 1991, so we shouldn't complain too much.
This may not be the last time something like this happens.:(
However, the only subway in Madrid today is a sandwich.