MADRID — Spanish rail company Renfe says around a quarter of its commuter and long distance trains have been cancelled owing to a strike by drivers.

The strike, called by the Semaf union, had little apparent affect Friday as a government demand to have some 70 per cent of services operating during rush hour meant most trains ran as normal.

No major delays were reported though a noticeable increase in traffic in cities like Madrid suggested many people decided to use alternative forms of transport.

Semaf called the strike — the first of four planned this month — after talks with Renfe over staffing and working conditions broke down last month.