Coradia Stream EMUs for Hellenic Train
posted on 22nd Dec 2025 16:00
On 22 December 2025, Alstom has signed a contract with Hellenic Train (earlier TrainOSE), the main private railway company in Greece, for the supply of 23 six-car Coradia Stream EMUs. The contract worth 393 million EUR, includes associated maintenance services over a period of 10 years. Eleven of the 160 km/h trains are designated for suburban commuter routes in the Athens and Thessaloniki suburban networks, while the remaining twelve will serve long-distance intercity travel on the Athens - Thessaloniki route.
Intercity trains will accommodate 335 passengers, while suburban trains will offer 362 seats. There will be two entry doors on each side of the middle cars and one door on each side of the end cars. Each car will be equipped with large luggage racks as well as sockets for charging electronic devices. There will be designated spaces for bicycles and strollers. The final configuration, colours and finishes will be fully customised according to the requirements of the customer during the design stage.
The Coradia Streams will also be equipped with a digital passenger counting system with high-precision sensors as well as the passenger information system, which will include both audio and dynamic visual displays. Design and production of the trains will be executed by Alstom Savigliano. First deliveries are expected in the second quarter of 2027, with all new trains expected to be delivered by the end of 2027. These delivery times are so short that it can be assumed that the EMUs for HT will be taken from one of the ongoing contracts for the supply of Coradia Streams for Trenitalia.
“The new trains represent a major investment - but they are also a commitment to the people who travel with us every day. We want passengers to feel that their journey is easier, more comfortable and calmer. We are working towards a railway that does not merely follow European developments but meets them with confidence. With steady steps and a clear direction, we are committed to building, day by day, a journey that truly reflects what our passengers deserve. Trust is built through actions - and that is exactly what we focus on, consistently, with respect for our passengers’ time and needs,” Roberto Rinaudo, CEO, Hellenic Train, stated.
The fleet will be maintained in a depot in Athens provided by Hellenic Train. To ensure the highest availability and reliability, the fleet will be supported by a control room equipped with the latest digital tools, including HealthHub, Alstom’s solution for condition-based and predictive maintenance.
Background
The new order is the implementation of the MoU signed on 12 May 2025 in the presence of the Prime Ministers of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Italy, Giorgia Meloni. Six months of negotiations have allowed political commitments to be transformed into an order with a strict timetable and clear provisions.
This is the first purchase of new trains since the pre-Olympic period in 2004 and the largest private investment ever made in land transport in Greece. However, the private investment is understood as a result of the fact that Hellenic Train is belonging to the Ferrovie Dello Stato group (although in reality it is actually an investment by the Italian state through the Italian state railways, as is clear from the six-month political negotiations).
The Coradia Stream order is related to the new contract between the Greek State and HT, which includes investments totaling 420 million EUR, of which 308 million EUR are for new trains and the rest is announced for investments in new depots, modernizations and digital systems, and which changes the way of financing and supervision of railways. It introduces a strict framework of provisions on delays, train suspensions and inadequate maintenance, while also setting out a clause for the termination of the contract in the case that the new Coradia Strem EMUs are not in Greece by 2027. Which means for Alstom that it has only about a year and a quarter to start deliveries.
The contract between the State and HT
The sanction regime in the new contract between the State and Hellenic Trains is stricter than the previous ones. From 1 January 2026, a new framework of sanctions for train cancellations due to their defects will be activated, with the right to terminate the contract if more than 10 % of the annual routes are disrupted. In the event of serious disruptions, passenger compensation will be doubled and the monitoring of timetable compliance will be carried out digitally through a geolocation system, replacing the current paper system.
In financial terms, Hellenic Train continues to receive 21 million EUR out of the maximum ceiling of 50 million EUR, with the rest being returned to the Greek State as network charges and OSE rental fees.
The new contract stipulates for the first time that the compensation for the PSO services, which the state will pay to Hellenic Train, will be adjustable based on inflation from 2026. It also stipulates for the first time that the compensation will be paid monthly instead of the previous semi-annual installments. It also stipulates that in the event of failure to meet the completion schedules of the railway infrastructure projects by the Greek state, the latter is obliged to compensate Hellenic Train for the infrastructure problems.
The Greek infrastructure
In parallel with the renewal of the rolling stock, infrastructure projects are moving forward on the country's main railway axis. From the summer of 2026, the Athens -Thessaloniki line is scheduled to be opened as the double-track line along its entire length, with full signalling, ETCS and remote control of operation, reducing travel times to less than 3.5 hours. The same systems are being installed on the Thessaloniki - Idomeni section by spring 2026, while reconstruction projects continue on critical sections of the network, such as Acharnes - Oinoi. At the same time, an agreement on the Greece - Bulgaria - Romania axis is included, which aims to eliminate the Greek rail isolation and strengthen freight flows
The modernization of railway stations is also an important part of the planning. The first phase of the renovation of stations in Athens and Thessaloniki will start in early 2026, while tenders are underway for suburban station projects in Attica and western Thessaloniki. At the same time, 35 other stations across the country will be modernized in terms of accessibility and infrastructure with funding from the European Social Climate Fund, while the second phase for the central stations in Athens, Thessaloniki and Piraeus is already in the architectural design phase.
Commenting on the new contract, Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said: "In the railway sector, we are seeking a new start and a remedy for decades of poor performance, by supporting essential projects on the Athens - Thessaloniki route, with advanced signalling equipment and, of course, new trains. In this context, the signing of the agreement for the delivery of 23 new trains by 2027 is an important step forward. This is the first order for new trains in two decades, with the costs fully covered by Ferrovie dello Stato. The fact that the delivery of the first trains will take place immediately after the completion of the infrastructure works and the installation of the new signalling sends a clear signal that we are determined to put into practice our commitment to a modern, safe and European railway that will regain the trust of the Greek citizens."