Hellenic Train is seeking compensation for the financial losses it suffered after Tempi and storm Daniel.
Economic Damages and Interruption of Itineraries
Hellenic Train intends to claim compensations of up to 40 million euros from the Greek State due to the financial losses suffered in 2023. This year was marked by the tragedy of the intercity train 62, in which 57 people lost their lives.
After the tragedy in Tempi and the devastation in Thessaly from the bad weather Daniel, the trains stopped operating, causing the company’s revenue to decrease by 43.16%, leading to a loss of 65 million euros.
Claims for Claims and Delayed Payments
According to an article by Olga Klontza, the railway company, which holds the monopoly in passenger train transport, blames the deterioration of its financial figures on the State’s delay in paying it compensation for the barren lines.
Based on the financial report, until 14/03/2024, the collection of 2022 invoices, amounting to approximately 60 million euros, was pending. In addition, there are claims of €20 million from 2022.
Claims will be made for the loss of revenue the company suffered due to the two-time cancellation of flights due to the Tempe crash and Hurricane Daniel. This is based on the mechanism of protection against unexpected losses provided for by the PHI contract, which was signed on 14.4.2022. “The company intends to claim the damages it is entitled to under the contract for the significant damages it has suffered,” it says. In addition, it is explained that:
Fee Claims and Disputes
“In the year 2023, the Company suffered significant losses due to the reduction in transport work following the Tempe accident, as well as due to the damage to the railway infrastructure of central Greece by the extreme weather events Daniel in September 2023. The Company intends to claim the compensations to which he is contractually entitled for these significant damages”.
The amount of the claims is estimated to approach 40 million euros, lower than the total losses, as the public service contract only covers passenger transport and not freight routes.
In addition, the company continues to challenge OSE’s charges for infrastructure usage fees for the years 2020-2023. The gap between the two sides for 2022 amounts to 47.8 million euros, as Hellenic Train does not accept a unilateral increase in fees from the OSE, at a time when the condition of the network continues to deteriorate.
Source: www.diaforetiko.gr
