“By the end of 2025, 440 new buses, natural gas buses, but also electric buses will be on the streets of Athens”, pointed out Minister of Infrastructure and Transport during the contract signing ceremony with Industria Italiana for the supply of 200 natural gas buses.

The contract for the supply of 200 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, 12 meters long, which will be launched in Athens, was signed today by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras and the Commercial Operation – Director of the company “Industria Italiana Autobus”, Salvatore Danilo Martelli, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, responsible for transport, Christina Alexopoulos and the Secretary General of Transport, Yiannis Xifaras.

THE Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras stated: “Today, another important step is being taken for the renewal of the bus fleet in Athens. A necessary step, a result of the aging fleet that exists in our country. Specifically, the contract for the supply of 200 new 12-meter natural gas buses is signed with Industria Italiana Autobus. The buses will be delivered by the end of 2025. We expect and will work together to make this deadline come earlier. Thus, 440 new buses will circulate on the streets of Athens by the end of 2025. Natural gas buses, but also electric buses. The effort continues to improve the everyday life of the citizen, but also the quality of the services provided”.

For her part, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, responsible for transport, Christina Alexopoulou emphasized: “We are implementing another government commitment of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. With today’s signing of the contract for the supply of 200 natural gas buses – 12 meters – complementary and combined with the first 100 – 18 meters – but also the 250 electric buses, a significantly renewed fleet of buses is being created in Athens and Thessaloniki. We aspire to have all of these vehicles in circulation by 2025. The goal of the leadership of the ministry is to renew or renew the renewal of 1,300 new buses by the end of 2027, creating a sustainable era for transportation.”

The general secretary of Transport, Yiannis Xifaras noted: “The ministry is methodically implementing an overall plan to upgrade urban transport. Upgrading and strengthening the bus fleet is a key part of this plan. But it’s not just the buses. There is an integrated strategy, which concerns the electronic ticket, concerns the upgrading of fixed transport services. With the actions that are being taken, we will be able, within the next year, to have a very different first picture of urban transport. Today’s contract regarding the supply of 200 – 12 meter – buses, natural gas is an extremely important step in this direction”.

Finally, the Commercial Operation – Director of Industia Italiana Autobus, Salvatore Danilo Martelli, said: “In my career as a manager these moments are very important and represent the important work for our company, to manage the delivery of a project to such an important customer . We will do our best to give the greatest satisfaction to our customer.”