“The bill lays the foundations for a more secure, more modern, more reliable rail. Without great words, without exaggeration and, above all, respecting citizens waiting to see changes in practice, “the Deputy Minister of Transport said, among other things. Konstantinos Kyranakis Specializing the measures for the safety and modernization of the railway after the cabinet meeting.
The new bill is attempting radical incisions on the Greek Railway Model, Train’s safety valves and strict staff evaluation. It introduces a package of direct application measures that enhance rail safety, emphasizing the reorganization of bodies and the enhancement of accountability.
In particular, the bill is based on three intervention pillars:
- New rail safety structures
- Education, Evaluation of Personal Railway- Sanctions Stronging
- Contemporary Corporate Structure for the New OSE / Rapid Recruitment
All the provisions will be put into public consultation in the near future, with the aim of immediately beginning to apply.
“We are taking a decisive step in the effective upgrading of the safety of the railway,” the deputy minister said.
“This is a schedule with a timetable, specific actions and control tools,” he said, stressing that the safety of travel is no longer theory; “it becomes a daily right to all citizens.”
«Immediate implementation measures are upgrading daily operation, instituting the new OSE, adopting new technologies, clear rules and rigorous control, while improving human resources is now our priority. We know that the confidence of the citizens will be difficult to win. This is only built through actions, accountability, transparency and consistency at all levels. This plan lays the foundations for a safer, more modern, more reliable railway. Without great words, without exaggeration and, above all, respecting citizens waiting to see changes in practice, ”he said. Kyranakis.
(GIANNIS PANAGOPOULOS/Eurokinissi)
In detail the measures of the bill to upgrade rail safety level
1. New Railway Security Structures
Single Center for Supervisory
For the first time in Greece, a single surveillance center is being created, with full image and control of the rail network in real time 24 hours. In collaboration with the Traffic Control Centers, it will record any mandate, possible violation and incident, ensuring continuous surveillance, and immediate intervention in the event of an emergency.
The Single Supervisory Center is staffed by:
- OSE Supervisors
- Representative of each railway business
- Police representative
- Firefighter
Will supervise:
- The local telecommunications
- The system of precise geotozing
- The staggeries
- The maintenance of the general regulation
- The rail data register
The Single Supervisory Center will intervene according to the severity of the incident: in the event of a harmless breach it will record the incident digitally, in the event of a potential risk it will immediately inform the telecommunications and the driver, and in the event of immediate risk it will order the carriage.
In this way it will be possible to immediately activate the security mechanisms without delay. The Center will now operate as a single “control tower”, with all critical bodies on a joint operational basis, to prevent and protect the passenger public and the network.
(GIANNIS PANAGOPOULOS/Eurokinissi)
Railway.gov.gr – The new real -time update platform
The application allows for real-time monitoring of all trains, stations, and routes, with full geographical coverage at about 2,000 km of the network.
Infrastructure is created for immediate response, prevention and event analysis. Every citizen will see where the trains are in real time.
The new institutional framework makes it mandatory to install two advanced GNSS receivers on each train engine, as well as satellite internet connection. Thanks to the use of the Hellenic Positioning System (HEPOS) system, the stigma of each train will be transmitted in a matter of seconds accurately up to 5 cm.
Unlike traditional GPS technology, the new system allows for immediate monitoring of the exact position and speed of each train, as well as the line on which it moves. At the same time, special algorithm It detects in a timely manner, even if the trains are tens of kilometers, allowing immediate activation of the necessary deterrence mechanisms.
The platform railway.gov.gr It is coming to put new data on the safety and transparency of rail transport, offering citizens and competent authorities a complete picture and timely information at every part of the network.
What is hepos is
The Hellenic HEPOS tracking system is an infrastructure project, which allows for high precision identification by utilizing all existing satellite tracking systems (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO). Thus, homogeneous and accurate topographic measurements across the country are achieved, faster and more economical.
HEPOS consists of a network of 98 permanent satellite reference stations and a control center located at the Hellenic Land Registrar. Processes the reference stations and sends the user the data required to accurately determine. System users can get the data either in real time or in a later time through the HEPOS website.
Cameras in security service
In addition, the bill provides for the mandatory installation of a camera in every machine driver’s cabin, the workplaces of the stations, as well as at any critical infrastructure for safety. At the same time, more than 1,500 cameras located in tunnels and other key points of the network will be continuously monitored through special software, with the aim of directly detecting any abnormality or possible threat.
(GIANNIS PANAGOPOULOS/Eurokinissi)
Digital Recording of commands and violations
Introduces an electronic Real-time alerts system for each deviation from the General Transmission Regulation (GCP), with a history keeping for each event. The commands are replaced by a digital system that ensures their accuracy and effectiveness
2. Education, Evaluation of Personal Railway- Sanctions Tightening
Evaluation to OHIM standards
In collaboration with the Health Services of the Armed Forces, there will be now a psychometric and medical tests of strict specifications for those serving critical safety duties on the railway. The tests will be compulsory both during the recruitment and regular staff evaluations and will include reflex tests, psychometric tests, pressure management tests, simulators use, orthophony testing, general medical examination and sensations, blood tests and blood tests.
Restore the Way Authority
As an additional safety valve, the mandatory presence of a head train on all routes moving at a speed of more than 120 kilometers per hour returns. The institution returns reinforced, as each boss will have a driver’s and stationary training.
Its duties include monitoring the compliance of the General Movement Regulation, monitoring telecommunications, checking signs of fatigue or inability of the driver, and has the right to intervene in the event of a breach of rules and replacement of the driver if required.
The boss operates as the director of the train and remains in direct contact with the Single Center for Supervisory.
Evaluation system
In the event of violations of the General Regulation by critical duties, a new system of categorizing violations of high, medium and low risk is introduced. Using the digital record system will monitor the cumulative behavior of each employee. Regarding the staff of the railways, in the event of a non -removal of a driver who has committed violations, the business license will be suspended.
3. Modern Corporate Structure and Flexibility for the New OSE with ‘PPC model’
Independent Administration and Administrative Flexibility
The new OSE is converted into a public limited company under the name “Hellenic Railways SA”, under an independent board. Greater flexibility in the recruitment procedures are introduced, with the aim of immediate needs, without the time -consuming approvals and processes in the public sector. At the same time, there is a possibility of moving and changing within the new company without the restrictions of the Civil Service Code, as well as the ability to attract executives from the private sector and abroad, with more competitive salaries than the single payroll. In addition, more flexible and targeted procedures for supplying equipment and critical infrastructure projects are introduced.
Reorganization of Railway Regulatory Authority
- New organizational structure and acceleration of flexible processes
- Establishment of Rail Inspectorate Unit in RAS
- Complete financial independence of EPANAAM
- Full implementation of his compositions with this bill
- Works independently at administrative and financial level
A single emergency and railway management plan is drawn up
In order to ensure the effective treatment and management of rail accidents, a single emergency and rail accident management plan is drawn up. The plan clearly reflects the operational planning and the specific roles and protocols for all state and private bodies in the event of an accident.
The Single Emergency and Railway Management and Management Committee consists of: Representatives of the Ministries of Infrastructure & Transport, Climate Crisis & Civil Protection, Citizen Protection and Health, Hellenic Police, Fire Brigade, EKAB, EKA EPONAAMA.
In terms of Hellenic Trainthe Deputy Minister announced that he was pledged to invest in new trains while an assessment of the contract that had been signed with the company would be evaluated.