The data, 50 pages, of the railway incidents that occurred since 2013, was submitted to Parliament by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras in order to show that it is timeless and much more than a question of hiring employees, the issue of Greek railway. and a comprehensive plan.

” I have listened attentively to the fact that the issue is often raised that the only problem in OSE is human. When we had 3,000 workers in OSE, did we not have problems? I am trying to prove that the issue of the Greek railway and security was not only a matter of some recruitments in the OSE. It is much more serious, much more serious and a much more complete plan » said the person in charge of the opposition of the minister in charge to answer the political leaders who preceded him on the stage, such as S. Famellos and D. Koutsoumpas.

Quoting the numbers, he said the serious incidents at the OSE, based on findings and reports, were:

  • in 2013, 58 incidents
  • In 2014, it was 81
  • In 2015, 76,
  • in 2016, 71,
  • in 2017, 84,
  • in 2018, 74,
  • in 2019, 79,
  • in 2020, 53,
  • in 2021, 56,
  • in 2022, 29,
  • in 2023, 17 including the tragic Tempe accident,
  • in 2024, through October, 17 events occurred

” I heard correctly from Mr. Famello is used to talking about the necessity of having an integrated plan, so that the Greek railway can be expanded, connected to the port. It is exactly the opposite position from the one made by the general secretary of the KKE, considering that by making a better railway from Thessaloniki to Promachona, that by making a better railway from Alexandroupolis to Ormenio, we are actually helping NATO and the foreign interests. We don’t have the same opinion.” said Mr. Staikouras.

At the same time, he submitted to the minutes of the Parliament, a complete plan – as he said – on how we see the modernization of the Greek railway for the next 20 years.

Responding to Mr. Koutsoumba, said that 500 million will be allocated. euros for the projects that will follow in the next period on the main railway line from Athens to Thessaloniki, so that we have stability of the main railway network from Domokos to Larissa as well as the vertical ones Larissa – Volos and Paleofarsala – Kalambaka. He added that there are also 110 million for the Suburban of Western Attica and other resources found in the Summer of 2024 in order to have signaling – remote control from Liosia to Kiato for the first time.

” We are equally trying to make some important funds for the first time in the last 20-25 years, when there have been no projects “, he said.

He pointed out that the government has a responsibility for the Hellenic Air and Rail Transport Accident Investigation Agency to issue an independent opinion by February 2025. Additional spending on special studies by European research institutes was also requested.

In addition, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport commented on the reports of problems on the railway that have arisen in recent years, but also on the appeals in the Commission’s warning letter. “If someone reads it, they will see that it refers to 2016. It refers to the Regulation, which has not been used in the country since its entry into force,” he explained and added: “This is to replace all the extent of the problem.”

Thessaloniki Metro

For the Thessaloniki Metro, Mr. Staikouras, replied to K. Velopoulos, regarding the cost of the project and to the president of SYRIZA, and the general secretary of the KKE, for the latest incident.

As he said “t the cost is 5 billion. euros along with the extension to Kalamaria, along with the archaeological works, the loans and the interest, but also the unforeseen ». “This amount is for the basic line – 9.6 kilometers and 13 stations – and for the extension to Kalamaria, which is another 4.8 kilometers and 5 trains. These are for those who divide it according to the existing kilometers, forgetting the rest without meaning that this work should not have been carried out many years ago and at a lower cost project, we changed the routes of the OASTH, not to serve the metro, but to make combined transfers in Thessaloniki and we have committed that as soon as we find the necessary funding, which currently does not exist, we will also go to the West and reach the Airport, which we are approaching in Mikra with the extension to Kalamaria, but we are not getting there”, noted Mr. Staikouras.

Referring to the recent incident, the responsible minister assured that all security protocols were followed and those responsible to D. Kuchumba characteristically told him that ” There was no security risk, as you pointed out.” .

He added that what happened in Thessaloniki is exactly the same as in other countries, where there are corresponding systems and from the step of the corresponding incidents in Milan (the day after the opening of the line where it was exactly the same incident, but two incidents also happened within two months) New York (where the same event happened last week) and Copenhagen (where there have been 75 train evacuations since the beginning of 2023). Mr. Staikouras emphasized that such incidents may happen again and added: “These things happen. The issue is not ensuring the safety of passengers, the safety of transportation.”

Finally, he gave the data from the first days of operation of the Thessaloniki metro according to which: So far 700,000 movements have been made in the first 15 days, 134,841 tickets have been issued, 28,000 personalized cards have been issued and the traffic on the streets of Thessaloniki has been reduced by 10 %.

“This is the imprint of an important project in Thessaloniki for which many governments have worked, with greater or lesser success, throughout the last 18 years concluded the minister.