Alstom has delivered TrainOse, the Greek rail transport operator, the first upgraded ETR470 Pendolino train, marking the arrival of high-speed trains in Greece.
The train, that has arrived in Thessaloniki is part of a project implemented by TrainOse for which Alstom is to provide depot modernisation and corrective maintenance for the trains that will constitute the country’s first fleet of high-speed trains. The depot modernisation contract was signed in March 2020, while the maintenance contract, in June. The two contracts have a total value of EUR 40 million.
The scope of the contracts includes modernisation of a depot in Thessaloniki and corrective maintenance services for five Alstom ETR470 Pendolino high-speed trains. The Thessaloniki depot has undergone significant modernisation works in the past few months. The trains have also been fully refurbished and modernised by Alstom at its Savigliano site in Italy. Following an extensive upgrade process, the trains, now belonging to TrainOse as a part of the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group (FSI), will have improved features such as Wi-Fi connection and new passenger information systems.
The trains have also been upgraded with ETCS signalling and modified to operate under 25 kV catenary so as to be fully suitable for operation on the Greek network. The first Pendolino train will start running between Athens and Thessaloniki from March 2021. The other four trains are expected to be delivered to Thessaloniki by Autumn 2021.
The introduction of high-speed trains is a key component of Greek operator TrainOse’s plan to reduce current journey times on the main Athens-Thessaloniki axis from 4 hours to around 3 hours following the completed infrastructure upgrades.
“Starting high-speed service in Greece with these upgraded Alstom trains is part of our strategy to offer an improved passenger experience, better quality services and reduced travel time on a very popular route. Moreover, the upgrade of our Thessaloniki depot as part of this project will turn our depots into some of the most modern and high-tech depots in South-East Europe,” CEO of TrainOse, Filippos Tsalidis, said.
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