RAS: €300,000 Fines for OSE and Hellenic Train

Greece's Regulatory Authority for Railways (RAS) has imposed fines totaling €300,000 on national railway operator OSE and train company Hellenic Train following an incident in October 2024. The penalties stem from a near-miss where a suburban train almost entered the metro tunnel at Doukissis Plakentias station.

The RAS decision underscores persistent safety issues plaguing the Greek railway network. OSE was fined €120,000, and Hellenic Train received a €180,000 penalty. This event occurs more than three and a half years after the tragic Tempi accident, which claimed 57 lives and was expected to usher in a new era of safety for Greek railways.

According to the RAS decision, the suburban train was incorrectly routed by a station master, heading towards the metro line instead of its intended destination. The train only stopped when the driver received an immediate command from the station master. OSE defended its actions by arguing that safety was not compromised because no collision occurred and the train did not enter the metro tunnel, a defense that clashes with modern railway safety management principles where potential risks are paramount.

Hellenic Train's defense also faced scrutiny. The RAS decision noted the company's attempt to justify the absence of a second driver in the cabin by citing train characteristics that did not match the actual locomotive used. This contradiction, along with other findings, weakened the company's position. The RAS decision also highlighted concerns regarding OSE's communication protocols.