Hellenic Train

A recent railway incident in Athens has raised fresh concerns about the country's train system, just 20 months after the tragic Tempe crash in central Greece.

A 24-hour strike announced for Thursday by the rail workers' union was ruled illegal by a court on Wednesday.

The court's decision came after an appeal by Greece's train operator, Hellenic Train.

As a result, services on the rail network are expected to be carried out as scheduled.

A 24-hour strike has been called by the Hellenic Train on Thursday, October 10, as announced by the Panhellenic Union of Traction Personnel, in the context, as it says, “of our effort to protect the safety of all those who use the railway network daily”.

“The main demands of our strike,” the workers said in a statement, are:

More than 18 months since the country's worst train disaster, in Tempe, central Greece, its railways are still haunted by deficiencies in safety systems even on main axes, by unguarded level crossings that can turn into death traps, understaffing, legal disputes and shortages in rolling stock and infrastructure, according to Tuesday's deliberations of Parliament's permanent Production and Trade

Rail schedules will be disrupted this week as rail workers launch a barrage of industrial action.

Trouble awaits citizens traveling by suburban train today Tuesday, Sept. 24 as Hellenic Train goes on a work stoppage announced by the Panhellenic Union of Traction Personnel.

Greek rail workers have called a strike for Thursday to protest the government's failure to enhance safety following the Tempe railway disaster in February 2023.

Almost 19 months since the deadly train crash near the Vale of Tempe, in central Greece, that claimed 57 lives, Greece's railways are still seriously underperforming.

A train travelling from Halkida to Athens hit fallen trees between Sfendali and Afidna stations, causing material damage to it and bringing it to a halt.

Operator Hellenic Train said there were no injuries to passengers or staff.

A criminal investigation has been ordered following a near collision between two commuter trains between Athens and Agioi Anargyroi stations on Friday morning. 

The Acharnes station manager mistakenly ordered train 1307 to take a single track already occupied by train 1210, risking a head-on collision. 

Delays are expected in all suburban train services between Thessaloniki and Larissa, due to yesterday’s fire in Litochoro and the loss of electricity, Hellenic Train said in a post.

The same post notes that there is a single line between Litochoro and Platy.