28 Jul 2026
Western Attica suburban railway secures new funding framework
- RE+D Magazine
Construction of the Western Attica Suburban Railway project is proceeding as planned despite the project's removal from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, as its financing will instead be covered by the National Development Programme (NDP) 2026–2030, according to a joint statement issued by the Ministries of National Economy and Finance and Infrastructure and Transport.
The government attributes the project’s removal from the Recovery Fund to unforeseen technical, permitting and administrative challenges that caused significant delays, making completion within the strict deadlines of the European programme impossible.
According to the statement, the difficulties include utility network relocations, technical interventions involving pipelines, as well as pending administrative and legal procedures. Under these circumstances, keeping the project within the Recovery Fund would have created the risk of failing to meet required milestones and, consequently, facing potential financial penalties from the European Union.
Despite the change in the source of funding, the construction contract remains fully valid. To date, approximately 53% of the physical scope of the project has been completed, corresponding to works worth €56.13 million excluding VAT.
The transfer of the project to the National Development Programme 2026–2030, according to the two ministries, provides the necessary timeframe to resolve outstanding technical and legal issues and ensure the smooth completion of construction. It also creates the conditions for activating the option to extend the railway line to the centre of Megara.
The Western Attica Suburban Railway under construction involves a new 36-kilometre single-track railway line connecting Ano Liosia with Elefsina and Megara. The line will serve eight stations: ELPE Aspropyrgos, Aspropyrgos, Vathyχώri, Elefsina, Neraki, Nea Peramos, Loutropyrgos and Megara. Under the revised schedule, completion of the project is expected around 2028.
The new railway line is expected to significantly strengthen Athens’ suburban rail network by improving the connection between Western Attica, the wider metropolitan area of Athens and key transport hubs.
The Athens Suburban Railway, currently operated by Hellenic Train, serves four main routes: Piraeus–Airport, Piraeus–Kiato, Ano Liosia–Airport and Athens–Chalkida, connecting Attica with Corinthia, Boeotia and Evia, as well as with the Port of Piraeus and Athens International Airport.