The strategic framework for the development of sustainable transport in fixed orbit means was presented by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport , in charge of Transport, Michalis Papadopoulos, at the conference organized on December 15, 2021, by the Hellenic-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr. Papadopoulos first expressed the belief that the assumption of the Presidency of the European Union by France will contribute to the transition to a sustainable transport environment, citing the productive cooperation he had as chair of the competent Council in 2014, during the Greek presidency.
The Deputy Minister of Transport stressed that in the context of the policy pursued by the government of ND and the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is creating a system of sustainable and efficient transport, which is necessary, as proved especially during the pandemic. As he stated: “We are implementing a strategic plan for the development of fixed orbit means, implementing fundamental infrastructure projects and modernizing the railway service with new technologies.”Our goals are to increase the sector ‘s contribution to GDP and to create conditions for sustainable urban mobility, which means reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
As far as the creation of the Infrastructure and the Development of the Network is concerned, Mr. Papadopoulos referred to the connections of the railway with the big ports, the Industrial Areas and the Freight Centers, but also to the development prospects of the manufacturing sector. As he said: ” The Minister Costas Karamanlis announced the start of the tender for six emblematic railway projects with a budget of 4 billion euros in collaboration with ERGOSE. After Piraeus, the train will be connected to the other major ports of Greece: Thessaloniki, Patras, Alexandroupoli, Lavrio and Rafina, changing the trade map of transport in Southeastern Europe.
Recently, OSE signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with ETVA, with the aim of connecting the industrial railway with a central railway network. The possibility of cooperation for the railway connection of the Organized Receivers of Manufacturing and Business Activities (UMED) will be examined, as the connection of the train with the vital space of the processing companies is the element that will give the added value that we all seek in freight transport “.
During the discussion that followed with a group of speakers, Mr. Papadopoulos also expressed the desire to proceed with the planning for the implementation of the Egnatia Railway, while expressing his optimism for the evaluation plan of the best railway interconnection solution “Greece -“.
The Undersecretary of Transport also stressed the importance of the digital transformation of transport in optimizing passenger transport services and increasing the competitiveness of the supply chain. He also said ” Digitization and Railway Information and Communication Technologies will ensure that passengers are better informed about their rights and travel information, such as ticket offers, will make fixed-track vehicles more attractive.
The National Recovery Plan envisages the upgrade of the telecommunications infrastructure of OSE for the transmission of signal throughout the railway network, allowing open access to telecommunication services, satisfying the operational needs of trains, as well as passengers. The railway stations will be equipped with a fast internet access infrastructure , as well as digital public information services. The Information and Communication Technologies also enhance the functionality of the supply chain in the performance of customs clearance procedures, in the quality of trade and infrastructure that support transport, the ease of arranging shipments at competitive prices, the quality of logistics services through the interconnection of relevant information systems,
the ability to track goods and the frequency with which shipments are delivered to recipients within predetermined time intervals.
The efficient operation of the transport system as a whole is a priority, with improved transhipment technologies, data exchange and intelligent traffic management systems in all modes of transport. The application of Intelligent Transport Systems technologies in the existing infrastructures needs special mention.