ETCS awaiting signaling system of rail network
The European Train Control System (ETCS) suffered the same fate as the automatic signaling system, which was not in place at the time of the February 28 railway collision.
Tellingly, almost 16 years after the signing of the contract and after six extensions, the system operates only on the Thessaloniki-Promachonas section, while the rest will be operational by the end of the year. This system transmits train traffic information and can automatically employ the train’s brakes if it exceeds the speed limit or moves on a section of the lines with red signals.
The system in Greece is being built by two contractors. The fixed equipment (on the ground) is manufactured by the Terna-Thales consortium and the corresponding equipment on the trains by Ansaldo (now Hitachi Rail).
The system on Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) trains was installed in 2007-15 and cost €21.3 million (excluding VAT). But the line system, costing €17.2 million (excluding VAT), did not fare as well.
The contract for the supply of the ETCS and related services was signed in September 2007 between the contractor and ERGOSE. It concerned the installation of the system on the Athens-Thessaloniki-Promachonas line (except for the Tithorea-Domokos section, which was being reconstructed under a different contract) and the Oinoi-Halkida line, on which signaling systems from various companies were already in place at the time.
The existence of an operational signaling system is a prerequisite for the installation and operation of the ETCS, because one system “snaps on” to the other.
According to the original contract, the project had an installation period of 30 months and a maintenance period of 24 months (4.5 years in total). It should therefore have been ready in 2012.
