Two new intercity trains (of the HTR 412 – Blues IC type) are expected to strengthen service on the long-suffering core Athens-Thessaloniki route.
They are slated to enter commercial operation toward the end of 2026, after the planned tests and approvals from watchdog RAS are completed, pending the supply of 23 new Alstom Coradia Stream trains later.
Besides the integration tests between systems, the big challenge concerns the completion of the railway restoration works this summer.
Railway sources, however, express doubts as to whether, after the works, the licensing of sections of the safety system on the route will be completed in time.
