Greek Government Approves New Railway Reform Law Based on PPC Model

Today, Monday, the much-anticipated bill for railway safety and modernization is presented, while new documentation arrives at Parliament regarding former minister Kostas Karamanlis. A Pre-Trial Committee may be established for the former Transport Minister or he might be directly referred to a natural judge following the Triantopoulos precedent. Two years after the Tempi tragedy, the government moves forward with railway reform focusing on modernizing Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE). The Cabinet meets this morning under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to discuss the relevant bill. Deputy Transport Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis, responsible for this reform alongside Minister Christos Dimas, presents the government’s plan for OSE based on the model used for Public Power Corporation (PPC) reform as announced by Deputy Prime Minister Costis Hatzidakis. Key provisions in the new OSE bill include establishing a Unified Traffic Supervision Center, installing black boxes in all trains, reinstating train conductors, and ensuring two drivers per route with cameras inside the driver’s cabin. Violations will be categorized into high, medium, and low risk with provisions for dismissals for serious errors and retraining for minor ones. Stricter evaluation filters including psychological tests and drug screenings are also included. The bill also addresses potential license revocations for companies like Hellenic Train due to misconduct or non-compliance. Emphasis will be placed on network maintenance through long-term agreements with experienced foreign organizations. Pay structures will be adjusted similar to the PPC model exempt from unified pay scales. Fast-track hiring processes aim for 2,000 organic positions in OSE with European-level staff. By the 2027 elections, the government hopes to deliver a fully functional and safe Athens-Thessaloniki line with new high-speed trains. Additionally, new documentation from the Larissa Appeals Court regarding Kostas Karamanlis is expected this week, concerning railway safety issues rather than the controversial contract 717. It remains to be seen if a Pre-Trial Committee will be formed or if the Triantopoulos precedent will be followed.