A question about the timetable for the restoration of the Athens-Thessaloniki railway line and the course of maintenance of the network on the northern axis was submitted to the competent Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, by the president of the parliamentary group of PASOK-Kinima, Nikos Androulakis and the MP of the party Apostolos Panas.

In their question on “Exact timetables for the financing and completion of projects to upgrade, improve and support the country’s Railway Networks – Absence of a Railway Network in Northern Greece”, the MPs note the following:

“Athens – Thessaloniki axis

On 28.02.2023, after the railway tragedy in Tempi that plunged our country into heavy mourning, the government suspended passenger services on the main line “Athens – Thessaloniki”. The restart of the routes took place in April 2023, in a limited number initially, but on a permanent basis at lower speeds compared to those before the tragic accident.

On 09.09.2023 due to the catastrophic flooding phenomena in Thessaly (Daniel bad weather) extensive damage to the network resulted in the interruption of routes again.

Recently the managing director of OSE, as well as the Prime Minister from the floor of the Parliament, stated that from December the central axis “Athens – Thessalonica” will begin to reopen on one of the two lines available on the axis (downhill line) for transit at low speeds, while at the same time definitive restoration work is carried out on the second riser line. In fact, he noted that when the final restoration of the second line is completed, the final restoration works for the first line will begin.

The total restoration of the railway connection to normal operational status, according to statements by those in charge, is estimated to exceed 2 years, without specifying under which conditions and safety regulations the passenger train will operate during this period.

Mr. Minister, for many years the railway network of northern Greece has been in a state of complete abandonment.

West Macedonia

In the railway network of Western Macedonia, and more specifically on the “Thessaloniki – Florina” axis, there are no passenger routes to Edessa and Florina.

Eastern Macedonia & Thrace

In Eastern Macedonia & Thrace, the central line “Thessaloniki – Alexandroupolis” has not been operating for years. Trains from Thessaloniki end up in Drama, given that the existing railway network between Drama and Xanthi is out of service, with the result that PAMThr is out of rail connection, and the country also has no northern and eastern freight exit.

At the same time, it has been announced that there is a plan for the creation of new lines in PAMThr, from Thessaloniki to Kavala, and from Kavala to Toxotes, connecting the city and the port with the railway, through the Sea2Sea network of transnational importance, which is expected to be financed through Sea2Sea (Thessaloniki – Kavala – Alex/polis – Burgas – Varnas – Rousse).
Northern Axis maintenance PPP

For the maintenance of the network in Northern Greece, a corresponding project was announced for the first time in 2022 with the Public & Private Partnership (PPP) process, which concerns the “Florina – Platy” and “Strymonas – Alexandroupoli” networks, with the object of renovation, upgrading and maintenance of the respective railway axis. The project has not progressed to date and as far as its financing is concerned resources have been secured from the recovery fund, but according to publications regarding the revision of “Greece 2.0” and the removal of the specific railway PPP, they raise questions about the possibility of its implementation.

Collateral consequences – Thessaloniki Railway Station (SSTH)

Businesses with dozens of employees are located inside the Thessaloniki Railway Station (S.S.TH.) (Monastiriou 28). The dramatic reduction in passenger traffic leads them to economic withering, resulting in the precariousness of jobs and the commercial “desolation” of the SST. The absence of a schedule for the resumption of routes (number of routes etc.) causes strong concern for workers and entrepreneurs, who, despite their constant and coordinated actions towards the government, find complete inaction in taking measures to ensure the healthy course of their businesses.

Specifically, they ask Mr. Staikouras:

1-Since the complete restoration of the railway connection “Athens – Thessaloniki” is estimated to take at least 2 years,
1.1-What is the detailed timetable for the gradual operation of commercial and passenger traffic until the final restoration to levels before the Tempe accident?
1.2 Given that the S.S.TH is at risk of “desertification”, what measures do you intend to take to support the affected businesses and their employees?
2.-Regarding the maintenance project of the northern axis network.
2.1-At what stage is the project? Are reports true or not that they want his funding from “Greece 2.0” to have been included.
2.2-In this case, is there a new financing model?
2.3-What is the timetable for the reopening of the “Thessaloniki – Florina” railway connection?
2.4-What is the timetable for the reopening of the railway connection “Thessaloniki – Alexandroupolis” and what are the reasons for the excessive delay in announcing this specific action?
3.Given that the safety of the rail network must be a key priority and a condition for its operation, what additional measures has the government taken and what is the timetable for their implementation?”