The fare policy for buses and the Metro in Thessaloniki, in view of the operation of the new means of transport, was announced today by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, during the meeting with the administration of OSETH and OASTH, at the offices of Thessaloniki Transport Project Organization.

According to Mr. Staikouras, the ticket on the Metro is 0.60 euros, just like on the buses, from 0.90 euros today, while at the same time, the costs of card products with a longer duration are significantly reduced.

The following is the full text of the statement of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras:

The political leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport attaches particular importance and emphasis to the qualitative and quantitative enhancement of the means of public transport in Thessaloniki, and to their use by citizens.

We prove it with our frequent visits, with our work meetings, with our constant social accountability and, above all, with our actions.

Specifically:

1st. The bus fleet of OASTH is being renewed and modernized.

· 110 electric buses have been operating on the streets of Thessaloniki since last May.

· 54 buses replaced, in the last year, an older fleet.

· From January 1, 2025, following the recent decision of the Court of Auditors, 159 newer and more modern buses will replace older ones, of which 41 will be new, starting this year.

The result will be that, by the end of 2024, 50% of the buses of OASTH will be new vehicles.

2nd The number of buses circulating on the streets of Thessaloniki has increased, also due to the recruitment of 190 drivers.

The result is, today, that 300 buses are in circulation, compared to 260 in the corresponding period last year.

At the same time, the effort to limit ticket evasion has begun to yield tangible results.

As of today, the body of auditors is being strengthened and now consists of 130 people.

The aim is to increase sanctions, not fines!

3rd. The Thessaloniki Metro will be handed over to society in 26 days.

Metro, which applies the most modern technology, combined with the most demanding specifications of quality, functionality and safety.

The tests of the systems started, in manual mode, in the summer of 2021, in automatic operation of the trains in October 2022, and are completed, in their entirety, in the coming weeks.

At the same time, the Operation and Maintenance Contractor has started the test operation at the beginning of September, and throughout November will implement – exclusively – the last phase of the simulation of the commercial operation, throughout the day.

In addition, both the safety of the system and the trains, as well as the adequacy of the Operation and Maintenance Company and its procedures, including its staff training program, are in the process of being evaluated by an international independent safety assessor, who will proceed with their certification .

Therefore, all the tests of the systems and trains, as well as the test operation, are carried out, according to the program and consistently, in the plan dictated by the specifications and requirements.

4th OSETH promotes a new transport map, which seeks the best combination of the two means of transport, for combined and complementary use.

5th An economically rational and transport attractive fare policy is chosen, in order to strengthen the use of the two means of public transport by the citizens.

Thus, and for the next 6 months, when the data resulting from the new movement landscape in the city will be re-evaluated, a new fee policy for Metro and buses is adopted.

A. The Metro ticket costs 0.60 euros.

Furthermore, the price of the 10+1 basic ticket bundle is set at €5.80.

Thus, the attractiveness of the new modern medium to the passenger public is enhanced.

B. The bus ticket, for the urban zone, is significantly reduced, to 0.60 euros, from 0.90 euros which it is today.

Furthermore, the price of the bundle of 10+1 basic tickets, for the urban zone, is set at 5.80 euros.

Thus, a very clear additional incentive is created for the use of buses, but also for the combined use of means.

C. Costs of longer term card products ie monthly, quarterly, annual card etc. for both buses and Metro are significantly reduced.

As an example, the price of the personalized 30-day unlimited trips card for the movement of passengers using buses is set at 16 euros, from 27 euros that was until today.

Likewise, the price of the personalized 30-day unlimited trips card for the movement of passengers using the Metro is set at 16 euros.

Thus, the possibility is given for more frequent and cheaper use of public transport.

This extremely attractive fee policy is therefore provided in Thessaloniki, for the next 6 months, so that:

· that every daily or new potential user integrates the fee system,

· to value passenger traffic surveys,

· to prepare the system for the start of operation of the extension to Kalamaria, by the end of 2025,

· to complete the checks of future interoperability, but also the needs of the complex accounting and technological completeness of the systems,

· not to burden the passenger with a single bus ticket, which is higher than it has been until now, for someone who uses only one means,

· for citizens to turn to public transport, given the period of construction of the flyover.

In conclusion, by choosing this six-month pricing policy we achieve:

· The provision of mobility opportunities to the largest possible percentage of society, especially to the most economically vulnerable households.

· Highlighting public transport, making it affordable for users.

· Covering accessibility and enhancing their attractiveness.

· The contribution to the increase in passenger traffic, and thus the commerciality of the venture.

· The reduction of the environmental footprint of travel, being a reliable and competitive solution to vehicles, using vehicles with a zero or limited environmental footprint.

· The improvement of the traffic of the city.

At the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport we will continue to work, methodically and persistently, to make the lives of our fellow citizens in Thessaloniki better.