Hellenic Train and Alstom Sign €420m Contract for 23 Electric Trains in Greece

Greece's Hellenic Train and France's Alstom have signed a contract for 23 new electric trains valued at €420m, with deliveries scheduled by 2027.

The order targets the Athens–Thessaloniki corridor, where Hellenic Train plans to double passenger numbers by 2027 through faster journey times and upgraded rolling stock. Two of the new intercity trains have already arrived and are expected to enter service on the route. The contract includes stricter performance, safety and accountability requirements following a fatal crash that occurred three years ago.

The 23-unit fleet forms part of a broader infrastructure and rolling-stock programme. The agreement was signed on 7 July 2026 and commits the operator to enhanced safety systems across the Athens–Thessaloniki line. All trains will be electric multiple units (EMUs — trainsets with distributed traction motors under passenger carriages), replacing older equipment on Greece's busiest inter-city rail link.

The order follows a complete rewrite of the operating contract between the Greek government and Hellenic Train after the 2023 accident, which prompted a review of safety protocols, maintenance standards and procurement terms. The €420m investment covers both the train supply and associated technical upgrades required to support the new fleet across the 500 km route between the capital and Greece's second city.