Greece's new 'high speed' train - the NEW life of the ETR 470 Cisalpino
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Date: 2024-01-09
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Comments and reviews: 35
train
The reason why the train is virtually empty is the price - other rail services are cheaper and only a few minutes longer, while a flight will take you from point a to point b in just an hour and the prices can be quite competitive, with several flights, including red-eye, all day. The train might be new and the refurbishment of the line as well as all the upgrades might be great, but people have turned away from trains because of how unreliable they used to be in the past few years and might still be. Meanwhile, like you pointed out, Greece has excellent, state of the art motorways. Maybe the fuel crisis might lure more people back to the train, but all things considered, looking up plane ticket prices would still be my first step if I wanted to go from Athens to Thessaloniki. I really look forward to the line accommodating higher speeds and the tickets not being so darn expensive.
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The reason why the train is virtually empty is the price - other rail services are cheaper and only a few minutes longer, while a flight will take you from point a to point b in just an hour and the prices can be quite competitive, with several flights, including red-eye, all day. The train might be new and the refurbishment of the line as well as all the upgrades might be great, but people have turned away from trains because of how unreliable they used to be in the past few years and might still be. Meanwhile, like you pointed out, Greece has excellent, state of the art motorways. Maybe the fuel crisis might lure more people back to the train, but all things considered, looking up plane ticket prices would still be my first step if I wanted to go from Athens to Thessaloniki. I really look forward to the line accommodating higher speeds and the tickets not being so darn expensive.
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-div92
I traveled with ETR470 recently. I liked it more than the -old- trains we have in Greece (ETR 470 isn't new actually. I wouldn't travel with ETR470 again. The ticket is more expensive and it took as almost the same time to arrive in Athens (4: 10 hours. It was empty, not more than 50-60 passengers.
People here don't choose train because it's more expensive than bus, it has many problems (ETR470 had 3 problems till now in only 5 months in service, and when the night train was doing the route, it was full of immigrants. Many people feel unsafe to travel with them and the train was too crowded. I have heard people avoiding traveling with train because they think that they will get stolen.
Unfortunately the politicians don't seem to be capable to develop the railway and trenitalia is a terrible company in my opinion too.
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I traveled with ETR470 recently. I liked it more than the -old- trains we have in Greece (ETR 470 isn't new actually. I wouldn't travel with ETR470 again. The ticket is more expensive and it took as almost the same time to arrive in Athens (4: 10 hours. It was empty, not more than 50-60 passengers.
People here don't choose train because it's more expensive than bus, it has many problems (ETR470 had 3 problems till now in only 5 months in service, and when the night train was doing the route, it was full of immigrants. Many people feel unsafe to travel with them and the train was too crowded. I have heard people avoiding traveling with train because they think that they will get stolen.
Unfortunately the politicians don't seem to be capable to develop the railway and trenitalia is a terrible company in my opinion too.
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-sxflyer5410
The low frequency of the trains, as well as the limited speed of 160 km/h, are both related to the same reason why two days ago the two trains crashed.
More than 80% of train signals in Greece are not functional, even on the newly built routes. Everything is done manually, the drivers get the allowance of proceeding via phone calls from the train disapatchers. Some signals are always red and are therefore simply ignored. Because of that, some sections/routes have a limit of 1 train per hour for example, and a max. top speed restriction. Even though 160 km/h is still way too fast for such operations tbh.
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The low frequency of the trains, as well as the limited speed of 160 km/h, are both related to the same reason why two days ago the two trains crashed.
More than 80% of train signals in Greece are not functional, even on the newly built routes. Everything is done manually, the drivers get the allowance of proceeding via phone calls from the train disapatchers. Some signals are always red and are therefore simply ignored. Because of that, some sections/routes have a limit of 1 train per hour for example, and a max. top speed restriction. Even though 160 km/h is still way too fast for such operations tbh.
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-panosg3069
All the greek goverments, so far, prioritized the road/toll travelling ( by car. Simply because it was more profitable for some ( corrupted ) members of each administration. And of course, the average greek is obsessed using a private car, as much as possible, at least until the economy crisis that started aroung 2010. So it was a popular choice: the development of national road network, and not the cheaper ( for the average consumer) train system.
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All the greek goverments, so far, prioritized the road/toll travelling ( by car. Simply because it was more profitable for some ( corrupted ) members of each administration. And of course, the average greek is obsessed using a private car, as much as possible, at least until the economy crisis that started aroung 2010. So it was a popular choice: the development of national road network, and not the cheaper ( for the average consumer) train system.
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-dex_drk833
I remember watching this video when it came out. I was surprized by the fact that the Greek railway network seemed in pretty good conditions.
Now I learn that almost the whole network is not even regulated with a proper telephonic block system, but with some sort of step-by-step radio comunication (like if it was a perpetual shunting movement. To see this video now, with the counciousness of what happened few days ago, feels pretty scary.
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I remember watching this video when it came out. I was surprized by the fact that the Greek railway network seemed in pretty good conditions.
Now I learn that almost the whole network is not even regulated with a proper telephonic block system, but with some sort of step-by-step radio comunication (like if it was a perpetual shunting movement. To see this video now, with the counciousness of what happened few days ago, feels pretty scary.
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-manosm2003
nice but lets get to this: this march was dreadful for greek railway with this tragedy, nature took revenge in september with destructive and biblical floods in thessaly which means that the most of the railway is. vanished. A lot of time needs to rebuilt this system and the climate to stabilize. i hope that we will get through this, hope dies last -----------
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nice but lets get to this: this march was dreadful for greek railway with this tragedy, nature took revenge in september with destructive and biblical floods in thessaly which means that the most of the railway is. vanished. A lot of time needs to rebuilt this system and the climate to stabilize. i hope that we will get through this, hope dies last -----------
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-greko4849
Hello! Well our railway infustructure is going under maintenance lately and under upgrading since 2020. Its still not the perfect time to choose trains to travel in greece cause there are still plenty limitations while traveling which make the trip a lil bit euxhasting. Yet we hope soon to try our new services after 2024 where the upgrade will go to an end.
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Hello! Well our railway infustructure is going under maintenance lately and under upgrading since 2020. Its still not the perfect time to choose trains to travel in greece cause there are still plenty limitations while traveling which make the trip a lil bit euxhasting. Yet we hope soon to try our new services after 2024 where the upgrade will go to an end.
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-quantumnick
Unfortunately, the ETCS was not installed on time and on March 1st 2023 there was a tragic accident (crime) on that exact trip counting at least 57 deaths (there are still people missing, mostly students going back to their studies. For one more time, Greece is killing its own children. RIP!
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Unfortunately, the ETCS was not installed on time and on March 1st 2023 there was a tragic accident (crime) on that exact trip counting at least 57 deaths (there are still people missing, mostly students going back to their studies. For one more time, Greece is killing its own children. RIP!
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-hitoall123
Poor people, we had this train on the track between Italy and Zurich and it a was a catastrophe. Its nickname was -cesso alpino-, which means -alpine shithole-, name well deserved because of its unreliability, apparently because of bad maintainance in Italy. Anyway, these times are over now.
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Poor people, we had this train on the track between Italy and Zurich and it a was a catastrophe. Its nickname was -cesso alpino-, which means -alpine shithole-, name well deserved because of its unreliability, apparently because of bad maintainance in Italy. Anyway, these times are over now.
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-markusnerlich4039
You mention: -The train is good (yes, it is, the line is good (no, it is not)- So one has to simpy add: But the plane is better and safer! Train travel in Greek is (unfortunately) not the safest travel option in the country. And as you mentioned, it is still quite expensive.
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You mention: -The train is good (yes, it is, the line is good (no, it is not)- So one has to simpy add: But the plane is better and safer! Train travel in Greek is (unfortunately) not the safest travel option in the country. And as you mentioned, it is still quite expensive.
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-Imperiales1997
57 deaths and counting. The accident occured at 28th of February 2023 taking in its path 57 people that averaged around 20 years old. All that thanks to the Greek corrupted goverment and the Italian train company which baught 100% of greece's train system.
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57 deaths and counting. The accident occured at 28th of February 2023 taking in its path 57 people that averaged around 20 years old. All that thanks to the Greek corrupted goverment and the Italian train company which baught 100% of greece's train system.
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-thebay420
Besides the natural beauty of the landscape. I'm very impressed with all the quality rail and road infrastructure in Greece. Maybe it's old news now but I've heard for years that their government is dysfunctional and broke.
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Besides the natural beauty of the landscape. I'm very impressed with all the quality rail and road infrastructure in Greece. Maybe it's old news now but I've heard for years that their government is dysfunctional and broke.
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-ArandomChannelVo2
Just to know my friend, during your journey a train could easily be travelling through the same line as this train was, and no one would notice till they collide, cause there is no safety procedures like a gps.
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Just to know my friend, during your journey a train could easily be travelling through the same line as this train was, and no one would notice till they collide, cause there is no safety procedures like a gps.
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-myrabbitispink
there are some really good points as to why the train is running almost empty in these comments. i hope the train company somehow sees them and takes notes so they can fill up these nice trains, going forward
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there are some really good points as to why the train is running almost empty in these comments. i hope the train company somehow sees them and takes notes so they can fill up these nice trains, going forward
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-tm3xyz
I rode this train back in 2018 pre-refurbishment as a Frecciabianca service from Pisa to Rome. The most beautiful ride at sunset along the Mediterranean. Cool to see them get a new life!
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I rode this train back in 2018 pre-refurbishment as a Frecciabianca service from Pisa to Rome. The most beautiful ride at sunset along the Mediterranean. Cool to see them get a new life!
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-ElIsrolak
That first vending machine got stuck when I traveled from Athens to Patra, along with my bread roll, and agree, even Bucharest's Gara de nord was accordingly to a capital city terminal
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That first vending machine got stuck when I traveled from Athens to Patra, along with my bread roll, and agree, even Bucharest's Gara de nord was accordingly to a capital city terminal
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-peetieyou
You were running along the Aegean Sea on the last bit of the run to Thessaloniki.
So sad about the terrible head-on collision just south of Larisa just a few days ago.
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You were running along the Aegean Sea on the last bit of the run to Thessaloniki.
So sad about the terrible head-on collision just south of Larisa just a few days ago.
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-guyguyguy362
I was hoping to see more of Dining Car and how food is cooked. An enormous fireball explodes in an electric train crash without comment by anyone.
LPG tanks maybe.
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I was hoping to see more of Dining Car and how food is cooked. An enormous fireball explodes in an electric train crash without comment by anyone.
LPG tanks maybe.
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-captaingreek
Greece's railway network sucks. Now it is being modernized. The subway (metro) is the newest (20 years old, the cleanest and technologically one of the best in Europe.
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Greece's railway network sucks. Now it is being modernized. The subway (metro) is the newest (20 years old, the cleanest and technologically one of the best in Europe.
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-lazaroskyr4
Very good video, but all the insulting comments of the type -I didn't expect this and that- should stop. I think we Greeks have had enough of this type of comments.
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Very good video, but all the insulting comments of the type -I didn't expect this and that- should stop. I think we Greeks have had enough of this type of comments.
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train
ETR470s don't tilt anymore, and nor ETR460s (still under Frecciabianca brand. Only ETR485s are still tilting (Frecciargento brand, and of course modern Pendolino
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ETR470s don't tilt anymore, and nor ETR460s (still under Frecciabianca brand. Only ETR485s are still tilting (Frecciargento brand, and of course modern Pendolino
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-user-ov1vx1nv5v
There aren't many things to be impressed about this rail network, as modern and new as it seems. In fact, you are very lucky to be alive today!
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There aren't many things to be impressed about this rail network, as modern and new as it seems. In fact, you are very lucky to be alive today!
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-burningbeard
Can we know if this train is accesible for disabled people? Inside the train i see the ramps for every wagon. But i'm curious about the boarding.
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Can we know if this train is accesible for disabled people? Inside the train i see the ramps for every wagon. But i'm curious about the boarding.
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train
more than 25 years old trains for Greece are not new trains but scrap. Why do you think these trains no longer run in Germany, Switzerland and Italy?
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more than 25 years old trains for Greece are not new trains but scrap. Why do you think these trains no longer run in Germany, Switzerland and Italy?
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-chris-channel
Is this connection discontinued? Hellenic train connection search only finds connections with 4h 42min duration for this itinerary.
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Is this connection discontinued? Hellenic train connection search only finds connections with 4h 42min duration for this itinerary.
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-chris-channel
Is this connection discontinued? Hellenic train connection search only finds connections with 4h 42min duration for this itinerary.
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Is this connection discontinued? Hellenic train connection search only finds connections with 4h 42min duration for this itinerary.
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train
Now after the deadly crash at Tempi the Greek state MUST invest in modern signaling system (Ertms) and circulation regimes (automatic block)
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Now after the deadly crash at Tempi the Greek state MUST invest in modern signaling system (Ertms) and circulation regimes (automatic block)
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-JoaquimBronchart
Greece has a lot of financial problems unfortunately. :(
That may explain why the railway infrastructure is not that good.
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Greece has a lot of financial problems unfortunately. :(
That may explain why the railway infrastructure is not that good.
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-SimplyRailway
I recorded and edited the video back in June 2022 and the name of TrainOSE changed to Hellenic Train
Sorry for that folks: )
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I recorded and edited the video back in June 2022 and the name of TrainOSE changed to Hellenic Train
Sorry for that folks: )
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-beyondonethousand
Lower the price and the train will get more pax. Also at around 14: 30 the body of water is the Aegean Sea, not the Med.
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Lower the price and the train will get more pax. Also at around 14: 30 the body of water is the Aegean Sea, not the Med.
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-MrKappasdio
Empty because is still very slow-. 4 hours -after years and years of building works it-s a joke!
4 hours for a 500km trip?
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Empty because is still very slow-. 4 hours -after years and years of building works it-s a joke!
4 hours for a 500km trip?
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-suisseligue
well i think, it just need time? people probably didnt liked train of the greece so they dont believe it will be better.
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well i think, it just need time? people probably didnt liked train of the greece so they dont believe it will be better.
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-ahmadkazemi5880
I remember as immegrant came with these train they much better than any other countries trains. especial uk trains
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I remember as immegrant came with these train they much better than any other countries trains. especial uk trains
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-OneAdam12Adam
Seems that Greece, like the USA, had better invest in its basic infrastructure first before going high speed rail.
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Seems that Greece, like the USA, had better invest in its basic infrastructure first before going high speed rail.
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-davidainsworth
Hi, i can not see an option where to buy for the high speed train on Hellenic train website, they all say 4hrs40?
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Hi, i can not see an option where to buy for the high speed train on Hellenic train website, they all say 4hrs40?
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