Press release
Athens, 16 December 2021
The completion of the works for the upgrade of signalling – telecommand and ETCS level 1 installation on the Athens – Thessaloniki – Promachona railway axis is in the final stage
Athens, 16 December 2021 – In the context of accelerating the actions for the completion of the project: “Restoration and upgrading of the signalling – telecommand system and replacement of 70 track switches in identified sections of the Athens – Thessaloniki – Premahonas Axis” (D.S. 717/2014), 190 km of track in the northern part of the axis, fully equipped with modern railway systems, were delivered to OSE for use.
Specifically, on Thursday 09/12/2021 and Friday 10/12/2021, after the successful completion of the prescribed tests, the Administrative Receipts for Use were carried out, with the signing of Protocols between ERGOSE S.A., OSE S.A. and the Contractor “JOIN VENTURE TOMI S.A. – ALSTOM TRANSPORT S.A.”, of the signalling systems of the section TX1 (Thessaloniki) – Strymonas- Promachonas and the telecommand system for the whole of the axis Platy – TX1 – Promachonas and TX1 – TX5, i.e. a total length of approximately 190 km of railway axis.
Following this, it was possible, on the respective sections of the axis, to hand over to OSE for use the installed ETCS (Automatic Train Protection System) on the line, which has been installed by the supply contract: “Supply of an ETCS Level 1 Line System with Associated Services”, following the successful completion of test runs with trains equipped with the corresponding ETCS system.
Specifically, on Monday 13/12/2021, a Delivery Protocol for the ETCS extension of the 38 km long Platy – TX1 and 7 km long TX1 – TX5 sections of the line was signed between ERGOSE, OSE and the Contractor Joint Venture “K/X TERNA S.A. – THALES RAIL SIGNALLING SOLUTIONS GESMB”, but also the Delivery Protocol for the Tx1 – Promahonas section, approximately 145 km long, for trial operation.
It is noted that, with the implementation of the above administrative acts, the signalling and ETCS works, the northern independent section of the PLATY – PROMACHONAS railway axis is given to OSE for use, which will result in a significant improvement in the safety of rail travel on commercial and passenger routes.
It is stressed that with the completion of all the works on the ATHENS-THESSALONIKI railway axis, the journey time will be reduced to 3:15′ from the current 3:57′.
The President and CEO of “ERGOSE S.A.”, Mr. Christos Vinis underlined that: “ERGOSE’s strategic priority is the fastest possible, safe and perfect completion of the modernization projects of the country’s railway network. The implementation of these projects, which are co-financed by European Programs, is a challenge and at the same time a great opportunity for development impetus to both the economy and local communities”.
For more information you can contact the following contact details:
Tel: 210 5283 492
Email: info@ergose.gr
About ERGOSE:
ERGOSE S.A. was established in 1996 as a subsidiary of OSE and belongs to the public utilities. The company’s mission is to complete a modern railway network that will constitute an important development pillar for the Greek economy and society, contributing to the safety and speed of transport of people, goods and freight. In this context, ERGOSE S.A. currently manages the modernization projects of the railway lines and facilities of OSE co-financed by the Operational Programmes of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2014-2020 from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) 2014-2020 as well as projects with purely national funding that are necessary to complete the investments of the co-financed programmes. The company currently employs more than 200 experienced and highly qualified staff, while it has been providing its services for more than two decades, responding effectively and reliably to the implementation of projects through its excellent organization, structure and systems.
