progressive restart operation in 5 stages (every five days), with an estimated start March 22provides a plan for railroad restart.

“The restart of the railway is necessary to restore the confidence of the population. In addition, delaying the start of operation, even with a limited number of routes, carries significant risks of theft and/or sabotage. Finally, there is a very serious problem with freight traffic to neighboring states.

Restarting the rail network after a long break in service requires a series of actions to ensure they start up as safely as possible. These activities fall into 2 categories: inspection of infrastructure and launch of routes“, – said George Herapetritis.

• A. Infrastructure Inspection

When train traffic is disrupted, infrastructure problems arise. In particular, the rail oxidizes and becomes covered with rust, as a result of which the constant contact of the track with the train wheels is lost. Thus, the position of the train is not determined by the signal. For this reason, the train must be run on a trial basis to remove the rust.

In addition, there may be obstacles on the surface of the tracks created during the traffic stop, such as broken rail, rocks, tires, and sediment buildup.

Visual inspection and special drills must be passed through the net to remove any obstructions.

It is estimated that the inspection of the entire network will last about 4 days.

• B. Starting routes

With a general stop of routes in the railway network for a sufficient period of time exceeding 3 days, the resumption of traffic is carried out gradually and over several weeks. The criteria for determining the phases of a gradual restart are: social needs, mainly in commuter and suburban routes used by workers; international obligations for the operation of cargo lines; needs related to tourism and related activities (e.g. jagged routes).

Five phases:

◦ Suburbs of Athens – Acharna Railway Center – Corinth – Kiato – Aigio

• 04/01/2023. Reboot (optional):
◦ InterCity Athens – Thessaloniki (1 morning couple)
◦ suburban road Thessaloniki – Larisa
◦ Paleofarsalos – Kalambaka
◦ Larisa – Volos
◦ Lamia – Stylida

• 04/06/2023. Add (after evaluating conditions):
◦ InterCity Athens – Thessaloniki (1 or 2 couples per day)
◦ Charter Triasio – Thessaloniki (1 or 2 couples per day)

• 04/11/2023. Add (after evaluating conditions):
◦ Other routes

A. Immediate Security Improvement
• 5 stations are closed (they will work only for landing and disembarking).
• Staffing of open stations with 2 station chiefs.
• Reduced speed on non-signaled sections to 80 km and 100 km for commuter/freight and passenger trains, respectively.
• Staff of 2 drivers for all suburban trains
• Completion of commuter trains with 1 conductor.
• InterCity Athens – Thessaloniki has a staff of 3 compared to the current 2.
• Internal Audit Service at OSE and Hellenic Train.

b. Problem solving mechanisms
• Phased installation by Hellenic Train of a recorder in trains with the ability to record in-cab conversations between train drivers and ECO traffic controllers (station masters, traffic controllers and remote dispatchers).
• Establishment of a Technical Support Service for the exchange of technical information between train drivers and the technical base for the prompt solution of technical problems in the movement of the train.
• Passenger service at important stations of the railway network (especially Athens, Larisa, Thessaloniki, Lianoklady).

V. Human resources management
• Prompt completion of OSE recruitment based on the 2022 program under review.
• For expediency reasons, the existing 2022 announcement will also cover 2023 recruitment planning for critical service areas, signaling, remote control and electric motors, and technical staff.
• Stay of employees with a service card.
• Exploring the possibility of renewing contracts with level crossing guards.
• Reassessment of training and retraining of critical personnel.
• Activation of psychological support for critical OSE and Hellenic Train personnel by specialized medical personnel.

d. Infrastructure Modernization and Monitoring
• Strict observance of deadlines for completion of signaling and telemechanics projects of the main axle.
• Immediate announcement of a tender for the demolition and maintenance of the tunnels.
• Implement a GSM-R system on rolling stock as soon as possible to communicate with all employees on the OSE railway network, making VHF a secondary system.
• Police protection of infrastructure at critical points in the network.

e. Regulatory interventions
• Routing updates traffic rules.
• Criminal modernization of the crimes of theft and theft of railway material.
• Inclusion in support measures for the families of victims of railway accidents within ten years.

“I want to note that these measures are a transitional reaction of the state to a tragic event, so that citizens feel that this tool is safe for the possibility of using it. It is obvious that when the work is successfully completed, by the beginning of next autumn, Greece will have a technically highly modernized system of protection and security. Until then, these strict measures will be in place and we, the Greek government, the Hellenic Railways Organization and ERGOSE, will be fully prepared so that citizens feel confident and we can all move forward with significant modernization, which, unfortunately, is overdue. decades,” said Mr Gerapetritis.