A focus on safety and the modernization of cycling is being given by Konstantinos Kyranakis.
The triptych of upgrading railways is the focus of Ministry of Infrastructure, with the aim of enhancing the safety and reliability of transport.
Speaking at the Delphi Economic Forum, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Konstantinos Kyranakis stressed that the planning is based on new infrastructure, new trains and new stations.
As announced, by this summer five additional safety nets will be put in place, effectively strengthening the system.
Specifically, these are signalling, telecommand, the automatic braking system, new infrastructure and an accurate geolocation system, which – as he pointed out – does not depend on cable infrastructure.
Signalling at 100% on the Athens-Thessaloniki route by the end of summer
According to Mr Kyranakis, by the end of summer the Athens-Thessaloniki main railway axis will have 100% signalling and telecommand, as well as the automatic train braking system, which was not included in the 717 contract. “For us it is a national bet in the summer to finally finish and the whole axis will have 100% of these systems installed. This largely completes the first of the aspects of the triple play. That is new infrastructure,” Kyranakis pointed out.
As for the new trains, he said that the €308 million investment to supply 23 brand new trains is progressing, which are expected to be delivered within 2027. He noted that with the new systems being installed, the level of safety is being increased and improved. “Everything we have done this year contributes to upgrading the level of safety,” Kyranakis added.
Besides this, he elaborated on the benefits of railway.gov. gr to improve railway safety and operations, saying it captures the path of a train, checks if staff are in place, if a level crossing guard has left his post, etc. In general, it provides all the data so that there is a daily assessment.
Changes on the suburban train
At the same time, he announced the integration of the suburban train’s display and timetables. As the Deputy Transport Minister stressed, citizens will now be able to see the route followed by the suburban trains, just as they can follow the routes of the Athens – Thessaloniki main railway line.
Kyranakis also highlighted the strategic importance of the vertical railway corridor, which will connect Greece with Bulgaria and Romania. This is a project of huge geopolitical value, as it allows the three countries and Europe to move goods and defence equipment, bypassing Turkey and the Bosphorus straits.
Restoration in the places where bad weather Daniel passed
For his part, Dinos Benroubi, Vice President and CEO of METKA S.A., referred to the major project of restoring the section of the railway from Domokos to Kranonas, damaged by the passage of bad weather Daniel. “We will deliver the project as our contractual schedules dictate. On time. And obviously we are working hand in hand with Alstom, which is making the control systems,” Benroubi said, adding that the project will be delivered in July.
He explained that the damage was too great, as the line was not built to withstand an event like Daniel. The task was particularly difficult as the project had to be fixed without disrupting traffic on the railway line. According to Benroubis, the line is being built with the most advanced and sophisticated safety systems, as requested by the Greek state from METKA and Alstom.
“The second thing the Greek state asked us to do is to build something which in a Daniel will not be destroyed again. So what is being built is something very, very different from what was there. For example, we are building 9 bridges for the water to pass underneath. Those didn’t exist and so Daniel swept everything away. Today he will no longer sweep everything because the water will go under the bridges,” the METKA Vice President and CEO said.
He also touched on the need for maintenance of the lines, arguing that there should be serious maintenance services throughout the railway network. With serious companies with serious clauses, so that the railway can not only be built safely, but also remain safe.
New trains – By the end of May, tests
During his discussion with Nikos Karagiannis, Journalist and Founder of Ypodomes.com, Roberto Rinondo, CEO of Hellenic Train S.A., stressed that 23 new ultra-modern trains will be delivered to Greece in 2027, of which 11 will operate for suburban services and 12 for long-distance services. He said that by the end of May, the testing of the trains will be completed, then all the data will be processed and the production of these trains will follow.
Roberto Rinondo pointed out that these trains have been tested and are absolutely reliable. “Regarding safety, there are the most advanced safety systems in accordance with the European regulation. There is the possibility of automatic braking, remote control and a real-time control. And it is a total innovation in the Greek system that will ensure the best safety for Greek passengers. So from this point of view, from this principle, we can say that passengers can definitely trust the railway and the railway services from now on,” Rignondo said.
He said the new trains will be modern, functional, comfortable and with better accessibility inside, with a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour. “Our aim is that passengers can trust us, not because we say so, but because they can see for themselves that we are changing day by day. Our motto is that the journey changes and we change too. And that’s what we are doing today and every day,” the CEO of Hellenic Train pointed out. He added that the company wants to become the most important player in the rail sector, both for passengers and freight, with Greece having the potential to become the most important logistics hub in southeastern Europe.
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