[AP]
Greece will launch a new digital platform to allow citizens to track train locations in real time, Deputy Transport Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis announced Monday.
The platform, railway.gov.gr, will include a digital railway data registry, a geolocation system for trains and an application for recording operational violations.
Kyranakis outlined additional safety measures tied to a draft bill aimed at modernizing the rail network. A new Unified Railway Supervision Center will monitor train movements, collect data, assess risks and coordinate emergency responses.
The plan also calls for stricter training and evaluation of railway personnel, including pre- and post-hiring assessments and cooperation with the military for security screenings. A special railway inspection unit will be established, and penalties for safety violations will be toughened.
Staffing will be accelerated at the Regulatory Authority for Railways (RAS) and the newly created accident investigation body, the Hellenic Air and Rail Accident Investigation Authority (HARSIA), with an emphasis on their operational independence.
Kyranakis also proposed restructuring OSE, the state railway company, to adopt private-sector management practices, attract international talent and streamline hiring and project implementation for critical safety and infrastructure upgrades.