Athens, Greece – The Athens-Thessaloniki railway line is set to be fully operational with all safety systems by the summer of 2026. This announcement was made by Deputy Minister of Transport, Konstantinos Kyranakis, during the 2nd International Conference “Redefining the Future Horizons: Designing the Sustainable Strategies of Tomorrow,” organized by the Engineers and Public Works Contractors Fund (TSMEDE) on December 9th and 10th at Sina 16, Athens.
Railway Modernization and Long-Term Maintenance
Kyranakis also revealed that by the end of next year, long-term maintenance contracts (service level agreements) will be implemented for significant sections of the railway network, including the Athens-Thessaloniki route. “Our country must stop operating with patchwork solutions. 2026 will be the last year we have fragmented contracts,” he stated, emphasizing a shift towards more sustainable practices.
The Deputy Minister summarized the plan for the Greek railway system into three pillars: “new infrastructure – new trains – new stations.” This includes a two-phase upgrade of the main railway stations in Athens and Thessaloniki. The initial phase will involve renovations to improve their appearance, followed by an expansion through synergies to transform them into new landmarks for both cities.
New Trains and Contractual Obligations
Regarding new trains, Kyranakis highlighted a clause in the renegotiation with Hellenic Train. If the commitment to invest 300 million euros in 23 new trains by 2027 is not met, “the state acquires, for the first time, the right to terminate and break the contract.”
He also underscored the significance of the agreement signed last week in Brussels for the construction of the Vertical Axis Greece-Bulgaria-Romania. “For the first time, a modern, fast vertical axis is created that will lift Greece out of railway isolation. It paves the way for Europe’s independence from the Bosphorus Straits,” he explained, referring to the geopolitical dimension of the agreement.
Addressing Urban Traffic and Decentralization
In the broader discussion about traffic congestion, Kyranakis stressed: “In Athens, we have an overconcentration of population, while the city’s infrastructure cannot support so many people; we need decentralization.” He pointed out how regional cities such as Kiato, Livadia, and Chalkida, with the contribution of the train, can function as hubs for businesses and workers who can relocate there.
Metro Fleet Renewal and Service Improvements
Concerning the renewal of Athens’ urban transport fleet, the Deputy Minister announced a tender for 15 new trains for Metro lines 2 and 3, expected in February. “Additionally, we are starting the refurbishment of 12 older, decommissioned trains, so that by next autumn we will see an improvement in headways, especially on Line 3,” he emphasized.
Specifically for the electric railway, he noted that despite unjustified delays by the contractor, which resulted in a fine of 3.8 million euros, the first refurbished train will arrive in March 2026. If trials proceed successfully, an additional train from the total of 14 will arrive each month, reducing headways from the current 8 minutes to 5 minutes.
Road Transport and Road Safety Campaign
Regarding road transport, Kyranakis mentioned that by March 2026, the number of new buses will reach 1,076, with nearly 1,000 already in service. “We lack drivers. From 2021 to 2025, we had a continuous decrease. This trend has been reversed since May,” he noted. He also announced a special bonus for active urban transport drivers. With 300 new drivers from the active recruitment and the new buses, headways are expected to decrease by 30%. “With the clearing of bus lanes, which are now monitored by cameras for the first time, and fines starting in January via gov.gr, we will see further improvement.”
Finally, he presented a new road safety campaign, launching next week, with the message: “Your mistakes on the road don’t just cost you.” He explained that it largely targets men, as data shows that 82% of those involved in fatal accidents are men, while only 6% are female drivers. “Our goal this year is to end with fewer fatal accidents than in the COVID year, when no one was moving,” he said, referring to the revision of the Highway Code, stricter policing, and 24-hour Metro operation, with over 60,000 validations on Saturdays.
Source: https://www.skai.gr/news/business/pliros-leitourgikos-sidirodromos-to-athina-thessaloniki
