The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is implementing a comprehensive plan for the restructuring and overall upgrading of the Greek railways.
1st. In September 2023, Contract 717 for the Reorganization of Signaling – Remote Control on the PATHE/P axis was completed.
Specifically, the remaining section from Oinoi to Tithorea, the upgraded Traffic Control Center of the SKA – Tithorea section and the new Traffic Control Center in Larissa were completed within the schedule set by the political leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
The section from Domokos to Larissa, on which the systems were installed and operating, was destroyed by natural disasters (Daniel storm) in September 2023.
2nd. In December 2023, the Contract for the installation of an automatic train protection system (ETCS – Level 1) on the line was completed.
Specifically, the installation was implemented within the schedule set by the political leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, in the SKA – Tithorea, Domokos – Thessaloniki – Promahonas and Oinoi – Chalkida sections.
3rd. Important projects were completed within the second half of 2023.
The construction of Railway Bridges on the French River.
The installation of the “OSMOS” system, i.e. instrumental monitoring on 14 large railway bridges of the Tithorea – Domokos section, with real-time data processing.
The operation of the new traction substation in Perivoli Domokos.
The installation of electrification on the new variant of the line in the Polykastro – Idomeni section.
The completion of flood protection projects along the railway projects in Peloponnese and Central Greece.
4th Measures were taken to restore equipment in the OSE network and maturation actions were implemented for the assignment of new projects.
These include:
The restoration of lighting, fire control and pedometer control of the GSM-R signal in all the tunnels of the railway axis Corinth – Athens – Thessaloniki – Strymonas – Promachonas.
The control of the operation of the alarm and closed-circuit camera (CCTV) systems of the Platamonas and Tempo tunnels, as well as the restoration of VHF radio communication.
The creation and operation of the Operation Control Centers (OCC) of the railway network in Corinth, SKA, Lianokladi, while the one in Larissa is under completion.
The drafting of tender documents for the GSM-R radio coverage project and in the remaining sections of the main PATHE/P railway axis, taking into account all the parameters for the interconnection of the new system with the one already installed in sections of the same axis.
5th. A series of contracts for the maintenance of infrastructures are in the implementation or commissioning phase.
These concern the infrastructure, the systems, as well as the guarding of the facilities (especially with the use of “Drones”).
6th. The installation of 300 cameras for continuous train monitoring was completed in December 2023.
The placement took place in the Platamonas, Tempos, Othrios and Kallidromos tunnels, as well as in the twin tunnels of Aghii Anargyri. The images are recorded in real time at the Tunnel Control Centers. Infrared heat detection cameras were also installed inside the tunnels, as well as the trains running through the tunnels.
7th OSE was financially strengthened.
The basic annual funding of the Organization, from the regular budget, increased from 45 million euros to 75 million euros, in order to cover operational needs and maintenance projects.
OSE, from July 2023, has signed a Contract with the Greek State for the first time in its history. The contract defines the obligations and rights of the two parties, while it is accompanied by a five-year Operational Plan, which precisely defines the terms of the Organization's funding.
8th The reform and modernization of the railway sector is progressing, in cooperation with the European Union.
The creation of a new, unified and modern public body is envisaged, with the name “Railways of Greece SA” and the core of OSE.
In addition to this new anonymous company, whose 100% shareholder will be the Hellenic State, ERGOSE S.A. and GAIAOSE S.A. in the part that concerns the operationally critical part of its activity for the railway (rolling stock, active railway facilities).
“Railways of Greece SA” will fully assume the role and responsibilities of the Railway Infrastructure Manager, as well as the implementation of the projects on the railway network.
This will address the dysfunctions produced by the current model of the three companies, with multiple shared or overlapping responsibilities, which make it difficult to develop unified strategic planning, coordination, development, maintenance, management and full control of the rail network.
At the same time, in collaboration with the European Railway Agency (ERA), all legislation and regulations governing the Greek railway are being evaluated, with the aim of fully harmonizing them with the European reality.
Our goal is for the new Organization to operate in a healthy environment with clear responsibilities and obligations for all railway companies.
9th. The final restoration of the railway network from the extensive damage caused by “Daniel” is progressing, with specifications for a significant increase in its durability.
The total cost of the permanent restoration is estimated at approximately 450 million euros and concerns the Domokos – Larissa section, the main axis Athens – Thessaloniki, as well as the vertical axes Larissa – Volos and Paleofarsalo – Kalambaka.
10th Actions continue to secure co-financing of the projects from European Union funds.
a. The financing for the project “Completion of the new double railway line in the Rododafni – Rio section”, with a total budget of 146.5 million euros, was approved by the European Commission in August 2023.
b. Within 2023, the repayment to the country of the Community assistance, amounting to EUR 68 million, from the “Connecting Europe” program (CEF 2014 – 2020) for the projects was completed:
Completion of the new electrified double railway line in the Tithorea – Domokos section.
Construction of the infrastructure of the new double railway line in the Rododafni – Psathopyrgos section.
11th In January 2024, a request for funding from the “Connecting Europe – 2” program (CEF 2, 2021 – 2027) was submitted.
The request concerns the following projects:
Upgrading of an existing monastery with the possibility of doubling and installation of signaling – Remote control – ETCS & electrification of the Railway Line in the Alexandroupolis – Ormenio section.
Installation of a new signaling system and ETCS of the Ano Liosia – Kiato section (damaged by vandalism).
Renovation and upgrading of the Acharnes – Oinoi section of the central railway axis.
Upgrading the infrastructure and superstructure of the Thessaloniki – Promachona line.
Completion of the new double Kiato – Patras Railway Line in the section Rio – New Port of Patras.
12th On September 18, 2023, the National Organization for the Investigation of Aviation and Railway Accidents and Transport Safety (E.O.D.A.S.A.A.M.) was established.
The first and imperative concern is the investigation – competently – of the Tempe train accident.
It was carried out by E.O.D.A.S.A.A.M. a series of actions to collect the necessary data from the Justice Department and all the involved railway bodies, including RAS.
Cooperation was developed with the European Railway Agency (ERA), following a relevant request for assistance, on September 30, 2023, with the aim of assisting special experts in the investigation of the accident.
According to European and Greek legislation, the investigation carried out by E.O.D.A.S.A.A.M. is completely independent from the judicial investigation. It aims to highlight the systemic safety problems that led to the accident, with the aim of improving the safety level of the railway and preventing accidents in the future.
13th Letters were sent to RAS, EODASAAM, OSE and HellenicTrain.
Their object is to speed up the investigation procedures of incidents that have been communicated to the political leadership of the Ministry, to evaluate the condition of the rolling stock and to ensure safe traffic on the level crossings.