Greek Rail Chief Admits ETCS Safety System Still Not Running

Christos Palios, chief executive of Hellenic Railways, told a parliamentary committee this week that the European Train Control System (ETCS), the automatic braking technology meant to stop a train before it runs a red signal or exceeds a safe speed, is not operating anywhere on the Greek network.

The revelation came after PASOK lawmaker Milena Apostolaki pressed the CEO of Hellenic Railways over whether ETCS is running today. Palios insisted in his response that it was installed and functional. When pressed over whether it was functioning at any specific location, he was forced to concede that the system is not currently in use anywhere, despite being installed, functional and licensed on most sections of the train line, and that licensing is under way on the rest.

Parliamentary committee hearing on the proposed appointments of George Ioannou and Christos Palios as chairman and chief executive of Hellenic Railways, Wednesday, July 22, 2026