Greece’s ETCS Rail Safety System Still Not Fully Operational 3.5 Years After Tempi

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Greece’s European Train Control System (ETCS), a key railway safety system designed to automatically prevent dangerous train movements, remains largely unavailable across the national network three and a half years after the Tempi disaster.

Although ETCS has been installed across 100 per cent of the main Athens to Thessaloniki railway axis, only 75 per cent has been certified, according to information presented during a three day visit by the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions.

The system is therefore not yet fully operational across the network.

Two sections of the railway remain pending licensing, while different authorities reportedly gave conflicting accounts over whether all the necessary documentation has been submitted.

Two sections still awaiting licensing

The European delegation visited Greece to examine whether measures taken since the Tempi railway disaster have sufficiently strengthened railway safety.

The mission met relatives of victims, representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, OSE executives, railway employees and independent authorities.

It also visited the Larissa Control and Traffic Centre and the Acharnes Railway Centre.

Despite the progress reported since Tempi, ETCS remains one of the major outstanding issues.

The Greek government told the European delegation that the system is expected to operate across the entire Greek railway network by 2030.

According to sources cited in the report, however, OSE told the delegation that all relevant ETCS files had been submitted and that approvals were pending.

The Railway Regulatory Authority, known as RAS, reportedly gave a different account, saying documentation for two sections had not yet been submitted.

The sections identified as still lacking ETCS licensing are Domokos to Paleofarsalos and Liosia to Kiato.

RAS said it now has the capacity to complete the necessary checks faster than the five month period originally envisaged.

However, a faster review does not automatically mean approval, as authorities can request corrections or additional information.

European Parliament delegation raises wider concerns

The European delegation also examined broader railway reforms introduced since the Tempi disaster.

According to information presented during the visit, Greece has advanced a number of infrastructure and safety projects with support from the European Recovery Fund.

Five operations centres have also been created, with two visited by the delegation.

The Railway.gov platform, which provides real time information on train operations, was presented to the European officials as an example of progress.

However, concerns remain over the implementation of key safety systems.

MEPs Yiannis Maniatis and Isilda Gomes said in a joint statement that, three and a half years after Tempi, ETCS and the GSM R communications system are still not fully operational across the entire railway network.

They also pointed to the long running implementation of ETCS under contract 717, arguing that the system remains incomplete despite significant European funding.

The MEPs said Greece has taken steps towards improving railway safety but has not yet fully aligned its railway system with European standards.

Tempi investigation remains under scrutiny

The European Parliament delegation also examined issues surrounding the management of the Tempi crash site after the February 2023 collision.

Committee chair Dolores Montserrat stressed that the Petitions Committee is not a court and cannot overturn judicial decisions.

She said the delegation trusts the independence of the Greek judiciary and that questions of criminal and civil responsibility must be examined by the competent judicial authorities.

The mission also heard complaints concerning the alteration of the crash site and the removal of material following the collision.

Representatives of EODASAAM reportedly told the delegation that, under current procedures, material from a crash site would not be removed before investigations were completed and the necessary authorisation obtained.

MEPs Maniatis and Gomes separately raised allegations concerning the alteration of the site and the removal of material, including claims that human remains were among material transferred from the area.

Those allegations remain part of ongoing judicial investigations.

The European delegation is expected to use the information collected during its visit in a final report containing observations and recommendations. The report is expected to be published in approximately five months.

Athens to Thessaloniki line still facing restrictions

The concerns extend beyond ETCS.

The Association of Graduate Engineers of the Hellenic Railways said the Domokos to Krannonas section of the double railway line remains classified as a construction site despite a certificate confirming completion of restoration works.

The certificate was issued on August 31, 2026.

However, no timetable has yet been announced for increasing services on the Athens to Thessaloniki axis.

The association has questioned why the line remains classified as a construction site despite the completion certificate and why works are continuing.

According to information cited by the association, trains between Domokos and Larissa are still operating on a single line.

As a result, services on the main Athens to Thessaloniki railway axis remain limited to two pairs of routes per day.

The developments underline the scale of the challenge facing Greece as it works to overhaul railway safety following the Tempi disaster, with major safety systems still awaiting full certification and operational coverage.

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