“I appreciate that we will have an excellent cooperation with the new Greek Transport Commissioner, Apostolos Tzitzikostas”, pointed out the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras speaking to 100.3 and to Vasilis Chiotis and Noti Papadopoulos.

Mr. Staikouras mentioned at the beginning of the interview that each Commissioner has knowledge of the reality and needs of the Greek government. “He was until recently the governor of Central Macedonia, so he knows very well what needs to be done in the transport sector in the region. Beyond that, the government must also be reliable in the files it submits to the Commission to secure resources, which of course are not inexhaustible.”

In a question about her railway safetythe minister admitted that there is often a lack of accountability due to fragmented organizations. For this reason, as he revealed, a draft law, to be accepted by all parties, is planned for a new unified OSE, which will have ERGOSE under it. At the same time, he emphasized that in the last year there is a better and more efficient signaling and remote control system, while regarding the cutting of the trees he informed that the process is particularly costly, since “this year there have been 20 contracts with a total cost of millions of euros”.

“At the end of 2025 we will be ready for the main Athens-Thessaloniki railway”, he revealed later

“The most difficult project, the new BOAK, will be delivered in 5 years – The Thessaloniki Flyover will be ready by 2027”

Also, Mr. Staikouras said that the Flyover of Thessaloniki will be ready by 2027, while its main part BOAK concerning the route Chania-Heraklion will be contracted by the end of this year, with the execution of the project taking around five years.

“His metropolitans Metro Line 4 will be completed by the end of 2026, we deliver November 30th Metro of Thessaloniki with an extension to Kalamaria until the end of 2025. What we need to do now is to invest in connecting ports by rail, so that we can go out to Europe with goods, because I have told you the Balkans want to go down and export to Greek ports” .

In particular, for the new BOAK, it is the most difficult task of all, as he noted, mainly due to a series of technical problems related to expropriations. “On the Hersonissos-Neapoli and Neapoli-Agios Nikolaos sections, works are constantly being carried out”.

“By the summer of 2025 we will have 950 new buses on the roads – Initiative to establish a speed limit of 30km”

“By the end of the summer of 2025 we will have 950 new buses on the streets”, said Christos Staikouras, pointing out that every 15 days new ones will arrive to replace the aging fleet.

He also noted that another 300 will be added by the end of the year.

At the same time, Mr. Staikouras said that the government will probably take the initiative for the establishment speed limit at 30 km at specific points where speeds are already low.

“Buses will move at better speeds on bus routes that will not be burdened by cars and motorbikes,” said the minister.