Security guards and workers act as traffic controllers at OSE crossings

In tragic situation many are found readings of railway network at Northern Greece.

Obsolete facilities, manual operation, rusty mounts and wire ropes, damaged bars and traffic lights, crumbling outposts they paint a picture of chronic neglect that poses serious risks for traffic accidents and even accidents, especially when the lines pass through residential areas.

One of the many examples of a guarded crossing with antiquated equipment is the one located in Nea Magnesia, and more specifically on Davaki Street, just a few kilometers from the Railway Station of OSE at Thessaloniki.

Passing drivers, as well as neighbors complain to Voria.gr, that for days the manual system is out of order, with the result that the warning that a train is approaching – mainly commercial trains pass through this line – is only done with the lights and the sound system. Yes, yes the shift guard is forced to act as the traffic warden and stop the traffic with his hands until the train passes.

In other cases, where there is no guard at the crossing, the train stops, an employee gets off it, stops the cars – also in the role of conductor – and then re-boards and the train continues on its way.

These are third-world situations which have been denounced many times by railway workers.

THE Thodoris Varidakistrain driver and member of the “Democratic Unionist Trade Union Movement” of Railways (DESK) reports to Voria.gr that, in order for the train to pass safely, when there is no guard at the crossing, an employee disembarks from it, manually lowers the bars and then re-boards the train. According to Mr. Varidakis, these points are sufficient in the railway network, while he points out that the main demands of the workers are the installation of automatic security systems and the prevention of staff.

In an effort to tackle the problem, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport plans, in collaboration with OSE, to place trained guards on trains.

This solution was mentioned a few days ago in the Parliament, Deputy Minister of Transport Christina Alexopoulou answering a relevant question from the president of Plefsis Eleftheria, Zois Konstantopoulos and the MP of PASOK, Stefanos Parastatidis.

Mrs. Alexopoulou pointed out that the OSE, after receiving the consent of the Railway Regulatory Authority (RAS), intends to deploy trained guards on the trains in order to cover the crossings, interrupting road traffic and after the train has stopped.

In the network of Northern Greece, issues have arisen “due to repeated vandalism, violations and also the age of the automatic level crossing systems. The dispersion of these crossings, sometimes in deserted locations, makes it impossible to cover them completely with a permanent presence of a guard. For this reason, the OSE (after receiving the consent of the Railway Regulatory Authority) intends to deploy trained guards on the trains in order to cover the crossings, interrupting the road traffic and after the train has stopped,” said Ms. Alexopoulou. and added: “this procedure is safe for drivers, pedestrians and passengers, as it requires the train to stop”.

Regarding unguarded crossings in the railway network, the Deputy Minister emphasized that in the entire network there are 552 unguarded level crossings for pedestrians, animals and vehicles of which 304 are secured with automatic sound signals and automatic escapes.

Mrs. Alexopoulou noted that the definitive solution to the problem will be the replacement of the outdated systems with new ones and the OSE is moving in this direction. , which will be submitted for inclusion in a financing program by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.