MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – European Train Control System in Greece: implementation delays and the need for transparency – E-001129/2025(ASW)

The deployment in Greece of European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) has been assessed by the EU Agency for Railways, on request of the Greek authorities.

The assessment[1] revealed lack of a proper governance scheme to coordinate the implementation and use of the system, as well as shortcomings in relation to its deployment and maintenance. The Agency presented a set of recommendations to address these findings.

The Commission has set clear deadlines for the deployment of ERTMS across the EU. The trans-European transport network (TEN-T) Regulation[2] requires Member States to roll out ERTMS by 2030, 2040 or 2050, depending on the specific part of the TEN-T network.

The Commission closely monitors progress of the roll-out and offers additional support to Member States through the work of the ERTMS coordinator.

The coordinator will publish by the end of 2025 his new work plan which will include the state of play of the roll-out. In the future, annual status reports will also be published.

The Commission assesses the completeness and the compliance of national transposition measures with the Rail Safety Directive[3], whereas the EU Agency for Railways regularly audits the work of the national safety authorities which play a pivotal role in ensuring safety of the rail system in a Member State.

On request of the Commission, the Agency may also perform a complex assessment covering all actors in a given Member State. For all identified findings, Member State prepares an Action Plan.

In case of significant deficiencies, the Commission may open an infringement case as in the case of Greece (INFR(2023)2036, letter of formal notice of 16 December 2024[4]).

• [1] Report ERA/REP/2-2023 of the European Union Agency for Railways regarding the assessment of maturity of ERTMS deployment in Greece and recommendations on the way forward, 21 March 2024.
• [2] Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1153 and (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1679/oj.
• [3] Directive (EU) 2016/798 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on railway safety, http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2016/798/oj.
• [4] Associated press release: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_24_6006.