“Unfortunately, for 25-26 years we did not change or renew buses at all, the newest one in circulation is from 2009”, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport pointed out on Thursday morning. Vassilis Oikonomouspeaking to 100.3 and to Spiros Malli.

Responding to complaints about “buses-saravala” circulating in Athens, Mr. Economou admitted that some buses may have a bad image, as there are 1,200 on the roads of the basin. “Especially this line of 550 serves from Kifissia to Faliro, so it is a long route”, as he said, announcing that “in one and a half years, until the end of 2025 that is, we will have modernized 80% of the fleet, that is out of the 1,200 buses, 900 will be new.”

“We have in the works an ambitious and expensive program of 2 billion euros for the renewal of the fleet. In particular, by 2027 there will not be a single old bus in circulation. There are already 110 electric buses in Thessaloniki, which is 1/3 of the fleet, and 140 in Athens. Gradually, 211 new technology buses will replace the old ones from the end of August and will be in circulation from the beginning of the new year on the commuter routes mainly in Eastern Attica. In fact, Mr. Staikouras and I visited the new Koropi Railway Station and examined the first 10. Also, from September another 300 will be put into circulation with natural gas, which will replace the “harmonicas”.

“From the beginning of September 5 pilot bus routes where all passengers will enter through the front entrance”

At the same time, Vassilis Economou informed that by April-May the integrated transport map of the new era will be presented, firstly in Attica and then in Thessaloniki, however the first announcements will be made in October, while he added:

“From the beginning of September 5 pilot routes where all passengers will enter through the front entrance to punch their card and ticket.”