RAS: The new railway projects are changing the investment map of the country

In the emblematic railway projects that have entered the implementation trajectory and change the dynamics of the investment environment in the country, the latest developments concerning the activity of new companies in the Greek rail freight market, but also the course of the approval process concerning the final licensor ETR 470 train, said among others the President of the Railway Regulatory Authority Mrs. Ioanna Tsiaparikou, in an interview with the radio station “Alpha 98.9”.

Ms. Tsiaparikou also spoke about the cost model of TRAINOSE SA recently approved by the Regulatory Authority. On this issue, he stressed, it was approved after a thorough investigation and inspections, with the ultimate goal of imposing equal conditions and transparency in the maintenance of rolling stock with uniform prices for all railway companies operating in freight rail.

For investment interest

Asked by the journalist about the investment interest and the activity of new companies in the Greek railway market, Ms. Tsiaparikou spoke about increased investment interest and referred in detail to both the companies that are already carrying out railway freight work and those that are preparing to enter the Greek market. He stressed that the main goal of RAS “is to create an efficient and open railway market, through the removal of administrative and technical barriers in terms of healthy competition.”

For new railway projects

He also stressed that the catalyst for the further increase of investment interest will be the completion of the modernization and expansion of the country’s railway network. In this regard, he expressed the satisfaction of the Regulatory Authority for the railway projects of 4 billion that were put into implementation by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. He stressed that infrastructure is the cornerstone of the development of the Railway and that through the forthcoming projects that pave the way for the increase of investment interest: employment, “he said.
For the ETR 470 train

Asked about the process regarding the certification of the ETR 470 train by the Railway Regulatory Authority, Ms. Tsiaparikou stressed that the certification of the ETR470 is an important principle for the use of modern passenger trains: “And we hope that it will continue with the investments of companies in modern rolling stock “, he stated characteristically. Regarding the approval process, he explained that there was a lack on the part of TRAINOSE, regarding a specific national rule regarding the installation of a sandblasting system in the vehicle to be approved. He added that TRAINOSE is proceeding with the installation of the specific system required by the national legislation “and we consider that in March, according to the Company’s schedule, maybe even faster, if it is ready, it will be certified by us and the new train will be put into operation. offering upgraded services “.

For the work of the Railway Regulatory Authority

Asked about the responsibilities of the Authority, he characteristically stated that the RAS is five Principles in one: “Sectoral Competition Authority for rail transport, Regulatory Authority that ensures equal access to the market of all SEs, Railway Authorization Authorization Authority, National Railway Authority Safety and Implementing Authority of EP 1371/07 on the rights and obligations of passengers “. In this light, he explained that the new data of dynamic growth of the domestic railway market due to the entry of other railway companies in the Greek infrastructure, creates a new starting point for challenges and strengthening the role of the Railway Regulatory Authority, which is called role in the sensitive area of ​​regulation and security.

Eco-friendly instrument

Finally, Ms. Tsiaparikou referred to the key role of the Railway in terms of the European goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. It is, as she said, the most environmentally friendly instrument, as it is responsible for only 0.5% of emissions CO2 related to transport. So increasing the share of passengers and freight transported by rail will effectively help Europe achieve its climate change goals, as stipulated in the Green Agreement.