en.Wedoany.com Reported - Hellenic Train is testing a new generation of electric and hybrid trains for Greece's main railway corridors, marking a new phase in the country's passenger rail transport. The models being tested include the Coradia Stream electric trains manufactured by Alstom and the Blues Intercity hybrid trainsets built by Hitachi Rail, with procurement carried out under an investment plan jointly supported by Italy and Greece, aiming to modernize rail services and make rail travel more attractive.
The new fleet is a key component of the €760 million rail agreement signed in 2025 between Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS Group) and the Greek Ministry of Transport, which aims to restore Greece's railway system to modern European standards. Under the agreement, Greece will invest over €400 million to upgrade rail infrastructure and rebuild lines damaged by extreme weather events, while Italy will contribute €360 million for the modernization of Hellenic Train's operations, covering the procurement of new trains, depot upgrades, and improvements to maintenance facilities.
The largest single investment in the plan is the procurement of 23 Coradia Stream electric trains manufactured by Alstom in Italy, with a contract value of €393 million, including a ten-year maintenance package for the fleet. These trains will be deployed on suburban and intercity services, including operations on the Athens–Thessaloniki corridor. In terms of configuration, 11 trainsets will serve suburban routes and 12 will operate long-distance services; each train consists of six cars, offering up to 362 seats in the suburban configuration and 335 seats in the intercity version. The trains are equipped with ERTMS Level 2 signaling systems, power sockets, modern passenger information systems, dedicated spaces for bicycles and strollers, and digital technology for passenger flow monitoring.
Hellenic Train recently completed the certification testing required for the Coradia Stream fleet to enter commercial service on the Greek rail network, including tests at operating speeds of up to 160 km/h, compatibility with national infrastructure, and verification of the ETCS and GSM-R systems. Next, the company will submit documentation to the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) to request authorization for commercial operation.
Testing of the hybrid trains is progressing in parallel. The first Blues Intercity hybrid trainset, manufactured by Hitachi Rail, has begun dynamic testing on the Thessaloniki–Larissa–Athens route, and a second trainset has arrived in Greece from Hitachi Rail's production facility in Italy. The hybrid trainset offers 200 seats and a maximum speed of 160 km/h, with fuel consumption reduced by up to 50% compared to conventional diesel trains, while also lowering carbon emissions and noise levels.
As the fleet is renewed, Hellenic Train is working to restore public confidence in the Greek railway system. According to a passenger satisfaction survey for the first quarter of 2026, 49% of surveyed passengers said they were very satisfied or completely satisfied with their journeys, 66% expressed satisfaction with train cleanliness, and only 36% were satisfied with punctuality. Furthermore, only 31% of respondents expressed a high level of confidence in rail safety and accident prevention.
The introduction of the new trains is part of a broader modernization strategy led by the FS Group, which has held Hellenic Train since acquiring the former TrainOSE for €45 million in 2017. Currently, Hellenic Train operates 274 passenger and freight services daily and manages a fleet of approximately 1,179 locomotives, passenger cars, and freight wagons.
The company's long-term strategy focuses on new vehicle investment, digitalization, modernization of maintenance facilities, and strengthening rail services, supported by the bilateral agreement between Italy and Greece. This agreement is regarded as one of the most significant railway modernization programs in Greece in recent decades.
