In their letter to Greek traintrain drivers point out his nine problems railway network that need to be resolved to resume service.

In particular, train drivers refer, among other things, to points on the network where it will not be possible to restart routes without solving existing problems.

“The railway tragedy of February 28, 2023 shocked Greek society. 57 people, 11 of them worked on the trains, died in an unimaginable accident.

Our Association warned all parties involved in a timely manner about the risks associated with the non-functioning of security systems (Lights – Remote Control – ETCS).

Unfortunately, our highlights and warnings have been inexplicably either downplayed or not taken seriously.

As of 01/03/2023, train traffic on Greek territory has been suspended, and the new Minister of Transport, Mr. Gerapetritis, has announced a package of measures to reopen the railway on March 22, 2023.

Our Association attended a meeting with the new political leadership and also met with the new Managing Director of OSE, Mr. Terezakis P., on Friday 17 March.

After the meeting of the Board of Directors of our Association, we bring to your attention the problems that need to be solved in specific sections of the railway network in order to restart these railway routes.

We would like to point out that we believe that it is not possible to start servicing these outlets without their permission.

1. For her Thessaloniki – Alexandroupolis (Strimona) line the operation of communications along the entire route and all ASIDs (with the protection of non-working or their removal). Removal of 6-10 km of idlers and restoration of infrastructure at these points.

2. Pay – line Florina. Possibility of communication along the entire route, duty at the Edessa station (safety latch), as well as the issuance of certificates of bridge validity (when last checked). Checking the infrastructure in the section 142,000-152,000 km, where a 40 km slowdown due to landslides was introduced.

3. Thessaloniki – Idomeni line. Issuance of a certificate of passing the bridge, full communication on the line.

4. Axis Athens – Thessaloniki. Written confirmation of passage through the tunnels (Tempi, Platamonas), where the last inspection by the fire department revealed problems and the possibility of communication inside them (with a certified communication system). Restoration of communication where there are problems (for example, Sirota – S.S. Larisa – Evangelismos).

5. Suburb of Piraeus – Kiato. Written confirmation of the passage of tunnels in which the fire department during the last inspection identified problems, lighting and the possibility of communication inside them (with a certified communication system).

6. Alexandroupolis – Xanthi. Staffing on duty at the Xanthi station, operation – safety of all PPE, communication (with a certified communication system).

7. Larisa – Hair. Operation – storage of all ASAIDs.

8. AEG trains should be withdrawn from circulation as they create persistent problems in transit until these problems are fully restored. Hellenic Train ensures that the rolling stock that will be released during the first phase must be fully operational for everyone’s safety and to avoid delays.

9.GSMR Immediate Operationprovided it has been certified.

In addition to this, OSE must immediately take care and communicate in writing within 10 days of its planning to develop a plan for the removal of grass on lines throughout the railway infrastructure.

As we have already informed you, we are requesting a recording of the conversations of the train drivers with representatives of the infrastructure manager AND from Hellenic Train, as after the train tragedy there was a selective leak of conversations that distract public opinion from the real causes of the railway tragedy. Finally, we inform you that Mr. Terezakis, in a meeting with our association, mentioned that Hellenic Train received 30 GSMR mobile devices.”