Greek Railways Embrace European Standards to Boost Safety and Skills

Photo source: Hellenic Train

Private Greek railway company Hellenic Train recently collaborated with the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE), Greece’s national railway company, to participate in specialized training programs offered by the European Railway Agency (ERA).

The training initiative, organized by the Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation, focuses on Human and Organizational Factors (HOF) and Security Management Systems (SMS), aiming to elevate safety standards in the Greek rail sector.

In an announcement, Hellenic Train emphasized that this participation reflects the company’s commitment to a safe working environment and to enhancing the expertise and skills of its workforce.

“Through our strategic collaboration with the Ministry and the ERA—an agency known for its expertise in European railway safety standards — Hellenic Train seeks to strengthen its safety culture at all operational levels,” the company stated.

Highlighting this commitment, Hellenic Train CEO Roberto Rinaudo noted that safety for the company goes beyond a standard priority. “For us, providing a safe work environment is an absolute commitment to our employees and passengers alike,” Rinaudo said.

The first ERA training, held October 8-10, brought together 20 industry professionals from areas such as operations, maintenance, and human resources. Greece plans to continue its collaboration with ERA to further raise safety standards across its railway network.

Photo source: European Parliament

The HOF training program is part of a broader long-term strategy by Hellenic Train, focusing on employee safety and professional development. The company remains committed to investing in its people, continually working towards the highest standards of safety and service.

This focus on safety comes in the wake of a tragic accident in Tempi, Thessaly, in February 2023, where a head-on collision between a passenger train and a freight train resulted in multiple casualties.

OSE, which owns and operates most of Greece’s railway infrastructure outside of Athens’ rapid transit lines, works in conjunction with Hellenic Train — a former OSE subsidiary now managing passenger and freight services on OSE Lines — to improve safety measures and protocols across the network.