Broken… rails: suburban train stuck due to breakdown near Patras

Problems in the Greek railway network are far from being resolved, despite government promises to restore order after the Tempi disaster that killed 57 people.

Friday, noon, and the rails for the suburban train “Proastiakos” in Patras are broken. The train driver refused to continue moving and stopped the train. Commuter train passengers complained Mega TV that the traffic from Patras to Rio was stopped, because, according to the train driver, there was a serious problem on the tracks.

“The driver and the conductor said that the train would not go further, because there were problems further on the tracks, and he could not pass this section. Following instructions from the station, the driver was ordered to drive ahead and get to where the line could hold. The driver replied that he would not take on such a responsibility, ”said one young passenger, a student.

Another passenger added that the train driver told her that “the tracks are broken, there is a crack in the rails, and that they want us to cover up the problem.” “I think the machinists are saving the situation, not the infrastructure. Here, in Patras, the machinists are excellent, we trust them, unlike these…,” the woman added.

Most of the passengers were students who preferred the commuter train because the ticket was cheap compared to the commuter buses. According to one of the students, the train passengers were evacuated and continued on buses provided by Hellenic Train. However, there were no seats for all the dozens of passengers, resulting in them having to wait nearly three hours for new buses to arrive to take them to their destination.

It is noted that after three hours the problem was fixed.

Photo thebest.gr

PS Judging by the images of old rails and half-decayed sleepers, the situation on the Greek railways leaves much to be desired. Maybe it was necessary not to sell the railways to a foreign company, for which local railways are extra trouble, but to find a decent manager?

Source link