Hellenic Train Services Replaced by Bus Routes

Photo source: Hellenic Trains.

Hellenic Train announced this week that a number of routes carried out by its trains will be handled by buses starting Wednesday, March 15.

The company suspended all services earlier this month following the head-on collision of two of its trains in Tempi, Central Greece, which killed 57 people.

According to Hellenic Train’s announcement, buses will carry out select rail itineraries until the resumption of railway services and travelers are advised to reserve seats at ticket offices or online.

For train card holders, bus seats for the Patras suburban train and for the Halkida-Athens, Athens-Kiato, Larissa-Thessaloniki, Larissa–Kalabaka, Larissa-Volos, Thessaloniki-Florina, and Thessaloniki-Edessa routes must be booked at issuing offices.

More information is available at Hellenic Train ticket offices, its website, and through its call center on 14511.

According to Transport Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, train services will return to operation gradually in five phases starting on March 22 with the aim to be fully operational by next month.

“Restarting the railway is necessary to regain public confidence. In addition, delaying the start of operation, even with a limited number of routes, poses serious risks of theft and/or sabotage. Finally, there is a very serious problem in freight transport to neighboring states,” said Gerapetritis.

The minister added that a series of actions would be required to set train services into motion ensuring the maximum possible safety.

It is noted that no bus routes will take place on Thursday, March 16, due to the general strike that has been called by Greece’s largest civil service umbrella union ADEDY and the country’s main private sector union GSEE.