Taking the tram to Irakleio, Crete

With the aim of expanding its presence in Greece, Alstom, which is participating in the major project of Line 4 of the Athens metro, is turning its attention to the projects of the Recovery Fund. Within 2023, it will be present at the new metro and Suburban extension projects, as well as at the major project for the maintenance and upgrading of the country’s railway network. The French group, one of the leaders in the rail transport sector, is currently in search of a formula to revive the vision of creating a tram network in Irakleio, Crete.

The construction of a fixed track network is an extremely popular request of locals, and  has the support of the municipal authority and city bodies, with different proposals from time to time. In fact, the first thoughts appeared more than two decades ago.

However, the development that charged the scenarios again was the start of the construction of the new airport in Kastelli. Crete’s new jewel, combined with the demands for modern and sustainable infrastructures created by the growing tourist flows, bring to the fore projects that for years had remained just pipe dreams.

The hybrid solution for Heraklion

As described by Alstom’s general manager for Greece and the Western Balkans, Mr. Stavros Vlahos, during a press briefing, the company has already started discussions with the competent Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport for the construction of a complex network. This within the urban fabric of Heraklion will take the form of a tram for low speeds and greater safety, while outside the city where it will be able to develop higher speeds, it will take the form of a Suburban Railway train.

He even noted that in Heraklion there was a tram network for the transport of coal, which has been abandoned, while at the same time there is a provision for the project to be developed also between the two flows of the northern Crete roadway. this would resemble the Suburban Railway of Athens, which runs through the middle of Attiki Odos.

A determining factor for the implementation of this proposal is of course finding funding. Since it is a “green” project, it is considered that it could be included in the national recovery plan for financing from the European resources of the RRF. At the same time, as Mr. Vlachos pointed out, Alstom sees the new tool of “Standard Proposals” with a particularly positive eye  and can bring new perspectives for the country’s infrastructure.

The plan for 2023

Alstom is ready to make a strong “presence” in the PPP tender for the maintenance and reconstruction of the country’s railway network. The head of the company, which has pan-European experience in railways, made a special reference to the country’s railway network which is unfortunately far behind, in contrast to the metro which, as he mentioned, is one of the most advanced in Europe.

The company turns its interest in 2023 to agreements concerning the extensions of the Suburban railway in Rafina and Lavrio, to the future extensions of the metro, with the first one to Ilion, which is expected to be announced in the next period. Also, in the supply of new hydrogen trains to be procured by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport until 2025. A project which will probably be included in the Recovery Fund.

A vote of confidence in Greek talent

Giving a vote of confidence to the Greek talent and especially to the young people who have high qualifications, as well as experience since in the previous years many went abroad, the Greek office of the company from 90 employees has today reached 150. Of these, at least 20 have returned to work in Greece from abroad.

“There are many Greeks with high qualifications and impressive resumes who want to return to the country, with the main motivation being the quality of life. We have already received new workers, who returned from Cambodia, Qatar, Copenhagen, London,” said Mr. Vlachos.