The Thessaloniki Regional Railway,[1] (Greek: Προαστιακός Σιδηρόδρομος Θεσσαλονίκης, Proastiakós Sidiródromos Thessaloníkis) is a three-line Proastiakos commuter rail service connecting the city of Thessaloniki with its metropolitan area and other regions beyond, including Imathia, Pella and Serres.
| Thessaloniki Regional Railway (Proastiakos) | |
|---|---|
 | |
 A Stadler GTW 2/6 terminating at Thessaloniki. | |
| Overview | |
| Owner | OSE (Lines), Gaiose (Buildings and Trains) |
| Area served | Central Macedonia, Western Macedonia, and Thessaly |
| Transit type | Commuter rail, regional rail |
| Number of lines | 3 |
| Number of stations | 44 |
| Website | www |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 7 September 2007 (Line 1) 25 January 2008 (Line 2) 3 February 2020 (Line 3) |
| Operator(s) | Hellenic Train |
| Number of vehicles | EMUs OSE Class 560 DMUs |
| Technical | |
| System length | 248.9 km (154.7 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
| Electrification | 25 kV AC, 50 Hz overhead lines (Thessaloniki-Larissa only) |
| Top speed | 160 km/h (99 mph)(Thessaloniki-Larissa) 120 km/h (75 mph) (Platy–Florina) |
Unlike the Athens Suburban Railway, the three lines served are rather medium-distance regional rail connections on three major axes to Edessa and Serres, Central Macedonia, and Larissa, Thessaly. Thessaloniki metropolitan area itself will be served by the Metro Thessaloniki.
History
editProastiakos Thessaloniki started its operations on 9 September 2007 with the first line Thessaloniki-Katerini-Litochoro connecting the urban centers[2] of Thessaloniki, Katerini, and the beaches of South Pieria and was the first suburban connection of areas outside Athens.
On 7 September 2008, with the completion of the electric drive in the Thessaloniki-Domokos section, the line was extended to Larissa.[3] Later, the already existing line Thessaloniki-Edessa via Veria was included as a suburban one with the prospect of electrification in the near future. At the same time, in May 2008, the preliminary feasibility study of the 'SUBURBAN REGIONAL RAILWAY OF THESSALONIKI' was completed, in which the new railway connection Thessaloniki - Pella through Giannitsa was included. This study, which was updated in March 2018 at a relevant conference in Giannitsa, awaits its finalization in accordance with the commitment of the Prime Minister, at the regional development conference for Central Macedonia held in March 2018 in Thessaloniki.
On February 3, 2020, a third suburban line was inaugurated that connects Thessaloniki with Serres.[4]
On the 4 November 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic many services across the network were suspended.[2]
Lines and services
editThessaloniki Suburban Railway consists of three lines:
- Line 1
connects Larissa and Thessaloniki, with some trains starting at Palaiofarsalos. - Line 2
runs between Thessaloniki and Florina, with some trains starting at Edessa. - Line 3 Π3 connects Thessaloniki and Serres.
Trains run from approximately 6:00 am to 22:00 pm daily on a fairly irregular basis, roughly once an hour. Both lines, however somewhat complement each other between Thessaloniki and Platy.[5][6] On 17 July 2014 services were cut back from eight to six services a day from Thessaloniki To Edessa.[6]
| Route | Opening | Route | Length | Electric | Top Speed | Stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 September 2007 (Litochoro–Thessaloniki) 7 September 2008 (Larissa–Litochoro) |
Thessaloniki–Larissa | 165.2 km (102.7 mi) | Yes | 160 km/h (99 mph) | 12 |
|
25 January 2008 (Thessaloniki–Edessa) 10 August 2013 (Edessa–Florina) |
Thessaloniki–Florina | 111.7 km (69.4 mi) | No | 120 km/h (75 mph) | 17 |
| Π3 | 3 February 2020 (Thessaloniki– Serres) | Thessaloniki–Serres | 158.9 km (98.7 mi) | No | 20 |
List of stations
edit| † | Terminal station |
| *† | Terminal with Metro/OSE servises |
| # | Station | Lines | Services | Connections | Regional unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adendro | Athens–Thessaloniki Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
|
Thessaloniki |
| 2 | Aiginio | Athens–Thessaloniki |
|
|
Pieria |
| 3 | Alexandreia | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
|
Imathia |
| 4 | Cherso | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Kilkis |
| 5 | Doirani | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Kilkis |
| 6 | Edessa *† | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
|
Pella |
| 7 | Episkopi | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
Imathia | |
| 8 | Gallikos | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Kilkis |
| 9 | Hersos | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Kilkis |
| 10 | Kastanoussa | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Serres |
| 11 | Katerini | Athens–Thessaloniki |
|
|
Pieria |
| 12 | Kefalochori | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
Imathia | |
| 13 | Kilkis | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Kilkis |
| 14 | Korinos | Athens–Thessaloniki |
|
|
Pieria |
| 15 | Kouloura | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
Imathia | |
| 16 | Larissa *† | Athens–Thessaloniki |
|
|
Larissa |
| 17 | Leptokarya | Athens–Thessaloniki |
|
|
Pieria |
| 18 | Lianovergi | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
Imathia | |
| 19 | Litochoro | Athens–Thessaloniki |
|
|
Pieria |
| 20 | Loutros | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
Imathia | |
| 21 | Mandhraki | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Serres |
| 22 | Mesi | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
Imathia | |
| 23 | Metalliko | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Kilkis |
| 24 | Mouries | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Kilkis |
| 25 | Naousa | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
|
Imathia |
| 26 | Nea Filadelfeia | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Thessaloniki |
| 27 | Neo Petritsi | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Serres |
| 28 | Neoi Poroi | Athens–Thessaloniki |
|
|
Pieria |
| 29 | Omalo Thrakis | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Serres |
| 30 | Pedino | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Kilkis |
| 31 | Petrea | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
Pella | |
| 32 | Platy | Athens–Thessaloniki Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
|
Imathia |
| 33 | Rapsani | Athens–Thessaloniki |
|
|
Larissa |
| 34 | Rodopolis | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Serres |
| 35 | Serres *† | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Serres |
| 36 | Sidirokastro | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Serres |
| 37 | Sindos | Athens–Thessaloniki Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
|
Thessaloniki |
| 38 | Skotoussa | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Serres |
| 39 | Skydra | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
|
Pella |
| 40 | Struma | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 |
|
Serres |
| 41 | Thessaloniki *† | Athens–Thessaloniki Thessaloniki–Bitola |
Π3
|
|
Thessaloniki |
| 42 | Veria | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
|
Imathia |
| 43 | Vyroneia | Thessaloniki–Alexandroupoli | Π3 | Serres | |
| 44 | Xechasmeni | Thessaloniki–Bitola |
|
|
Imathia |
Thessaloniki-Larissa Line
edit
The Line connects the Macedonian regional capital with the Thessalian regional capital. It has a total of 12 stations and is displayed in blue on TRAINOSE maps. It was inaugurated on 9 September 2007 and initially connected Thessaloniki with Katerini and the beaches of South Pieria and Litochoro, while on 7 September 2008 with the completion of the electrification of the Thessaloniki-Domokos section of track services were extended to Larissa.[7] The section Thessaloniki-Katerini-Litochoro is the first suburban connection outside of Athens. Today, services commence from Thessaloniki station passes through Sindos, Adendro, and Platy, where it is separated from the line Thessaloniki - Edessa, continues southeast to Korinos, the city of Katerini, Litochoro, and then south to Neos Resources of Pieria. Finally, it passes east of Rapsani, through Tempi, and after crossing the Evangelism of Larissa, it ends in the city of Larissa. The line connects the urban centres of Thessaloniki, Katerini, and Larissa, as well as Pieria's southern coast, thus connecting Central Macedonia's areas with Thessaly. In the future, the construction of an intermediate stop in Panteleimon between Neoi Poroi and Leptokarya is foreseen for the re-service of Platamonas.[citation needed]
Thessaloniki-Florina Line
editThe Line connects the Macedonian regional capital with Florina in Western Macedonia. It has a total of 25 stations and is displayed in red on TRAINOSE maps. It was inaugurated in 2010 and initially connected Thessaloniki with Veria and Edessa. Later, the route to and from Florina was included in the line, which was initially operated by regional trains. In May 2008, the already existing line Thessaloniki-Edessa via Veria Line was included as a suburban service with the prospect of electrification in the near future.[citation needed]
Today, the service begins from Thessaloniki station, passing through Sindos, Adendro, and Plati Imathia, where it is separated from the Athens - Thessaloniki line, continues southwest to Veria, north to Naoussa and Skydra, and then west to Edessa and Lamb. Then, it continues southwest along Lake Vegoritida to Amyntaio, and after turning north to Vevi, it heads west for the last time to reach Florina. The line connected the urban centres of Thessaloniki, Veria, Florina, and Edessa as well as the waterfalls of the same name, thus uniting areas of Central and Western Macedonia.
Thessaloniki-Serres Line
editThe Line connects the Macedonian regional capital with its second-largest city Serres. It has a total of 20 stations and is displayed in light blue on TRAINOSE maps. Services commenced on 3 February 2020 on what is the 3rd line of the Thessaloniki suburban network, Forming the daily connection of the two cities with existing intermediate stations.[8][9]
Future expansion
editIn May 2008, the Greek government's National Transport Plan outlined the aspiration for a second link to Edessa, via Giannitsa serving Chalkidona and Pella along the way, of 50 km (31 mi) in length allowing a 30-minute reduction in journey time.[10] This study, which was updated in March 2018 at a relevant conference in Giannitsa, awaits its finalization in accordance with the commitment of the then Prime Minister, at the regional development conference for Central Macedonia held in March 2018. Other projects include:
- Thessaloniki - Amfipoli - Nea Zichni/Kavala.
- Thessaloniki - Nea Michaniona - Epanomi - Moudania.
- Thessaloniki - Giannitsa - Skydra - Aridea.[11]
- Aeginio-Sindos variant bypassing Plateos and Adendros to reduce time and add stations in Makrygialos, Methoni, and Skotina.[12]
- Diavata - Kordelio - Ionian Islands - Menemeni - Engine Room - Thessaloniki.
- Sindos - Kalochori - Kordelio - Ionian Islands - KTEL[13] - Koletti - PSST - Port of Thessaloniki.[14]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ hellenictrain.gr. "Thessaloniki Regional Railway Lines". www.hellenictrain.gr. hellenictrain.gr. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ a b Προαστιακός Σιδηρόδρομος Archived 4 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Θεσσαλονίκη – Λάρισα σε 1:09 με Προαστιακό Archived 2018-03-25 at the Wayback Machine euro2day.gr
- ^ "Τι άφησε στη Θεσσαλονίκη το περιφερειακό αναπτυξιακό συνέδριο" (in Greek). Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Schedule Kalambaka–Larisa–Thessaloniki" (PDF). TrainOSE. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
- ^ a b "Schedule Thessaloniki–Edessa–Florina" (PDF). TrainOSE. Retrieved 1 March 2015. [dead link]
- ^ "Θεσσαλονίκη – Λάρισα σε 1:09 με Προαστιακό".
- ^ "Η Προαστιακή Σιδηροδρομική γραμμή Θεσσαλονίκη Σέρρες έγινε πραγματικότητα- Δείτε το πρόγραμμα του δρομολογίου και τις τιμές". 29 January 2020.
- ^ "Η Προαστιακή Σιδηροδρομική γραμμή Θεσσαλονίκη Σέρρες έγινε πραγματικότητα- Δείτε το πρόγραμμα του δρομολογίου και τις τιμές - Epiloges". 29 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "National Transport Plan for Greece - Final Report - June 2019" (PDF). National Transport Plan. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ 26/11/2007 at 23:58 (26 November 2007). "ΠΡΟΑΣΤΙΑΚΟΣ ΣΙΔΗΡΟΔΡΟΜΟΣ Ν.ΠΕΛΛΑΣ – www.ecology-salonika.org". Ecology-salonika.org. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "ΟΣΕ Μελέτες για νέους σταθμούς". www.makthes.gr. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Thessalonikipress.gr".
- ^ "Αυτή είναι η μελέτη για το City Train της Θεσσαλονίκης (χάρτης)". Retrieved 29 January 2023.
External links
edit- Official website (in English and Greek)