The arrival of two Intercity trains, Blues IC, coming to Greece to strengthen the Hellenic Train fleet, marks a significant step for the development of the Greek railway.
According to the relevant press release, the first train has already arrived in Thessaloniki yesterday, Sunday, via the international Balkan railway corridor, crossing Slovenia, Serbia, and North Macedonia. The transport of the second train is scheduled to take place within July.
The two Blues IC trains, type Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU), were manufactured by Hitachi Rail and are provided by the FS Group, of which Hellenic Train is a subsidiary. These are new generation hybrid trains, consisting of four single-deck carriages, designed to combine operational efficiency, reduced environmental footprint, and an upgraded travel experience for passengers.
The trains have a maximum operating speed of 160 km/h and are equipped with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), as well as a VHF radio communication system.
The addition of the Blues IC to the Hellenic Train fleet is expected to enhance services on the country's main railway axis, Athens-Thessaloniki, contributing to the improvement of reliability, quality, and comfort of travel.
The trains will be put into operation after the completion of the required tests and their certification by the Regulatory Authority for Railways.
The arrival of the two trains is the first immediate and visible result of the memorandum of cooperation between the Greek Government and Ferrovie dello Stato, parent company of Hellenic Train, which was signed in May 2025, in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni, where the intention for new investments in trains exclusively funded by the Italian side was recorded.
The procurement of the two Blues IC trains is an additional effort by the FS Group to support the renewal of the Greek railway fleet, which exceeds its previous commitment for the procurement of 23 new Coradia Stream electric trains, which will be put into operation at a later stage, further enhancing the services of Hellenic Train.
The Deputy Minister of Transport Giorgos Kotsiras stated: "The arrival of the new trains marks the beginning of a period of renewal of the country's railway fleet after two decades and is part of our broader program for the modernization of rail transport.
With consistency, persistence, and strong international partnerships, we are turning planning into tangible results, for the benefit of passengers, the economy, and the country. Our constant goal is a modern and reliable railway, which will meet the needs of citizens and play a substantial role in Greece's development path."