Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems has collaborated on the new €3.5 billion (£2.92 billion) Metro scheme serving Thessaloniki which opened on 30th November 2024. The 9.6 kilometre-long line features 13 stations and has an expected ridership of 678,000 passengers per day, equalling 116.8 million passengers per year. It will be the first Metro system constructed in Greece’s second largest city.
Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems has been involved from the start of the scheme using its success in Brescia, Italy, where a similar Metro system is in operation. In Greece, the company has supplied Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) for 13 stations, all of which feature an island platform design.
Each platform has eight sets of doors which will operate with the rolling stock. The platforms are 60-metres-long at 12 stations and 70-metres-long at the thirteenth station. One station, Venizelou is also a world-first as it contains an open archaeological site. The research and design and manufacturing of the doors and control systems was undertaken in Knorr-Bremse Rail System’s headquarters in Melksham, Wiltshire. Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems worked with the British supply chain on this project to source materials and staff for the project before the Platform Screen Doors were shipped to Thessaloniki.
Contacts
Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Ltd.
Melksham
SN12 6TL
United Kingdom
railenquiries.mlk@knorr-bremse.com
Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems began commissioning the Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) soon after installation commenced in 2021. This involved testing all the electrical components, permanent power system and temporary power system. Once the latter two were signed off, work could begin on the full commissioning. After Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems has completed its commissioning, it then undertook a series of final client witness tests which were conducted in front of the client to confirm that the work was completed to the required standards.
The design of the Platform Screen Doors, as per the high-profile Elizabeth Line PSD installation Knorr-Bremse Rail Services worked on, features a project specific design which meets the architect’s vision. A driverless network, the Metro is equipped with a Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system and this is used to act as a link between the doors and the trains. CBTC is a signalling system which uses telecommunications between the train and track for traffic management and infrastructure control. This means that the opening and closing of the doors on the train and platform will be automated.
The Thessaloniki scheme has been challenging, but Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems has used its experience to ensure that a fully compliant system has been delivered on time to meet the needs of our contract partner, the operator and the fare paying passengers of Thessaloniki. This bodes well for future schemes and is a testament to the team involved, both in Britain and in Greece.
Robert Harker – Head of Business Unit - Platform Screen Doors
Safety-wise, because the Platform Screen Doors on the Thessaloniki Metro are linked to the signalling system then should there be a problem with either a door on the train or the platform, or both, then that specific door will not open. This means trains can continue running without causing any delays and impacting upon the service. With the Metro now open, Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems retains a single-year maintenance contract, which commenced from the start of operations.
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