Greece has approved a new rail deal with the railway operator Hellenic Train, ratified by Parliament, marking a new phase for the country’s rail sector.
Under the revised contract, Hellenic Train commits to a total investment package of €420 million, including €308 million for the procurement of 23 new Alstom electric trains and €112 million for tech/maintenance infrastructure and depots by 2027, featuring enhanced safety, digital systems like European Train Control System (ETCS), stricter penalties, doubled passenger compensation, and a contract of termination clause if deadlines are missed, aiming to modernize the network after the Tempi disaster.
The deal marks the first purchase of new rolling stock in Greece since 2004, and introduces binding investments commitments, strict oversight and clearer performances obligations for the rail operator.
The agreement includes a termination clause, allowing the Greek state to cancel the contract if the new trains are not delivered and placed into service by 2027. Penalties for delays, service disruptions, ad inadequate maintenance have been tightened, while passenger compensation for major service disruption is set to double.
A further key provision is the rollout of a digital real - time monitoring system for rail services, based on geolocation technology that will replace the existing, old paper based monitoring framework and enable authorities to track routes and operational performance in real time.
Parliamentary approval follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in May 2025 between the Greek government and Ferrovie delle Stato Italiane, the parent company of Hellenic Train, during a meeting attended by the Prime Minister of Greece and Italian authorities, and the full investment package will be financed by the Italian side.
Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Kostantinos Kyranakis said the arrival of new trains, combined with ongoing upgrades on the Athens - Thessaloniki rail corridor, is expected to reduce travel time to under three and half hours, improving rail competitiveness and passenger confidence.
Key Features of the Deal:
• New Rolling Stock: €308 million for 23 new electric trains (first new fleet since 2004) from Alstom, with 12 for Athens – Thessaloniki and 11 for suburban lines.
• Infrastructure and Tech: €112 million for maintenance, depots, and digital upgrades, including European Train Control System (ETCS) for real – time oversight.
• Safety Focus: Addresses Tempi disaster weaknesses with new control systems, personnel training and a Unified Supervision Centre.
• Strict Timelines and Penalties: A 2027 deadline for tran operation, with a termination clause for the state if missed, plus tighter delay penalties.
• Passenger Rights: Doubled compensation for major disruptions and increased accessibility features like low floors and step - free boarding.
• Funding: Fully financed by Hellenic Train’s parent company, Italy’s Ferrovie dello Stato Italiano.
The overall goal of this move is to create a safer, more reliable, modern railway system and restore public trust moving from promises to enforceable obligations with strict oversight and long - term clarity for the sector.
Link
https://news.gtp.gr/2026/01/16/greece-approves-new-rail-deal-securing-e420m-investment/
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