The contract worth 8.737 million euros, with which, within the next three months, the construction of the charging station for the 110 electric buses that are expected in March in Thessaloniki and will circulate on the streets of the city is expected to be completed, at the depot of OASTH in Stavroupoli Spring, signed today, at the administration offices of the organization, by the representatives of the competent bodies, in the presence of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras and the Deputy Minister (responsible for Transport matters Christina Alexopoulos.

This is an important investment by the OASTH, through which all the necessary infrastructure will be created at the Stavroupoli depot, both for charging the 110 electric buses, and for their safe overnight parking and guarding. The owner of the project is the OASTH and the implementing body is the Development of the Prefecture of Thessaloniki S.A. (ANETH S.A.), which undertook the entire tender process (studies, tender documents, permits, contractor selection, etc.), the monitoring of implementation, as well as the acceptance of the project.

“Today a substantial step is taken to proceed with the supply of the new electric buses, which will improve the daily life of the citizens in Thessaloniki. We are creating the charging infrastructures, such as those that will be installed at the Stavroupoli depot. The purpose is to welcome and service the charging and operation of the 110 electric buses,” the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras pointed out in his statements.

As he clarified, the project includes work on shaping the space, electromechanical installations, where 55 electric chargers with a power of 180 KW will be installed, each with the possibility of parallel charging of two electric buses, development of a new Medium Voltage 20 kV network in the area of ​​the depot and electric lighting for safe traffic personnel and vehicles, as well as grounding and lightning protection networks.

According to him, the launch of 110 electric buses in a few months marks the renewal and strengthening of the OASTH fleet, improves the level of passenger service and limits the environmental footprint of travel. “We are working methodically and with a plan, so that with the new buses, as well as the operation of the metro in the fall, the city of Thessaloniki will have a new transportation map and our fellow citizens will enjoy better transportation services,” noted Mr. Staikouras.

“Thessaloniki is changing, modernizing and creating the charging infrastructure needed to welcome the 110 new electric buses, which will significantly strengthen the OASTH fleet, improving the daily life of passengers” said, for her part, Deputy Minister of Transport Christina Alexopoulou .

Explaining that for the signing of the contract and the development of the projects, hard and methodical work was done in cooperation with all the relevant agencies, Mrs. Alexopoulou emphasized: “We achieved the rapid implementation of a project, which a few months ago seemed almost impossible. The big bet, now, is its implementation within the prescribed schedules, so that the new buses can be properly charged, and provide their services to our fellow citizens”. She noted – among other things – that “Thessaloniki is now a model of integrated development, it is increasingly developing into a city that is friendly to its residents and visitors”.

“An important step is being taken today, for the inclusion of 110 electric buses in the OASTH fleet from next spring. With the support of the political leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Thessaloniki’s urban transport is moving into a new era” said the president and CEO of the OATH, Kostas Taggiris.

“As ANETH, we utilize every available resource for development projects and actions with a strong social footprint. The charging station for electric vehicles changes the page in Thessaloniki’s urban transport, makes it more attractive, serviceable and reliable for the citizens, but also friendlier for our environment” underlined the president and CEO of ANETH Thomas Vranos.

It is emphasized that the contract for the execution of the project “Configuration of the Electric Bus Charging Station of Stavroupolis OASTH Stavroupoleos”, amounting to 8,737,202.86 euros (including VAT), was signed by the president and managing director of ANETH S.A. Thomas Vranos, the president and CEO of OASTH Costas Tangiris, as well as the representative of “DION AVETE”, which undertook the project, Evgenio Dionysopoulos.