Greece Railway Revamp Underway with New Name and Logo

Greek Transport Minister Christos Staikouras presented this week the country’s refurbished railway services which will operate under a new name and logo as part of government efforts to  enhance the safety and security of the country’s infrastructure and transport, boost connectivity and restore confidence in train services.

Formerly known as the Greek Railways Organization (OSE), the new state-owned group which brings together three different companies (OSE, ErgoOSE and Gaiaose), is now “Railways Greece” (Sidirodromi Ellados).

Speaking last year at the 27th Annual Economist Government Roundtable months after the deadly head-on collision between a passenger train and oncoming cargo train in Tempi, Central Greece, which left 57 passengers dead and dozens injured, Staikouras underlined the importance of reforming the Greek railway system.

The reform of Greece’s railways, which will focus on the integration of innovative technologies, hiring specially-trained staff, and developing advanced security and management systems, under the new company will be funded through resilience funds.

Greek Transport Minister Christos Staikouras.

The project is set to be completed in phases, including the submission of the implementation plan, the endorsement of legislation, and the approval of a multi-year investment program – by the end of 2025.

The new organization “represents a new era for the country’s railway system” as part of efforts to restore its poor reputation after the fatal accident at Tempi, said the transport ministry in a statement. “We are now required to to create a healthy and reliable profile for the new organization.”

The existing network of former OSE: The total effective length of Greece’s railway network amounts to 2,240 km and ranks the country in 19th position within the EU27. In terms of passenger traffic, the share of rail passenger transport (based on passenger-kilometres) is 0.9%, compared to the EU27 average of 7.9%.

The new company is owned by the Greek state, which will also appoint its board of directors, and supervised by the transport ministry.