In the orbit of new era enters her subway Thessalonikias on Thursday, September 4, the trial routes begin to the new section of the network, the expansion to Kalamaria, as the Vice President of the Greek Government announced today by Thessaloniki, Kostis Hatzidakis. As he explained, the trains will gradually enter the line, with the aim of expanding the Thessaloniki Metro to Kalamaria to be fully surrendered within the first quarter of 2026.

At the same time, as he pointed out, this year’s history is being written, since for the first time, visitors to the Thessaloniki International Exhibition will be able to move with the subway. “A landmark project for the city takes flesh and bones, signaling a decisive quality jump in urban transport and enabling the visitors of the event the opportunity to move with Europe’s most modern metro,” he said.

To extend the subway to the Squid Mr. Hatzidakis said: “From next Thursday, trains will gradually enter the new part of the network to make the necessary tests. The goal is to make the extension work to Kalamaria within the first quarter of 2026. “

Routes per 1.5 minute – POS with six languages

The Deputy Prime Minister also confirmed that four new trains have already been delivered to serve the subway expansion to Kalamaria and added that by completing the project, the frequency of the routes will reach 1.5 minutes per train, from three today.

At the same time, at the same time, the installation of new automatic tickets with POS tickets began. These machines will support six different languages, facilitating both residents and visitors to the city. “The installation is expected to be completed by the end of next week,” he said.

Concluding his statements, Mr. Hatzidakis spoke of a clear upgrade of the level of urban transport in Thessaloniki, noting that “Thessaloniki in the Urban Transportation is a category and the goal of the government is to move forward with other steps forward.”

N. Tahaios: In the final straight expansion to Kalamaria

His assessment that the Vice President of the Greek Government “is leaving impressed by the work of the Thessaloniki Metro”, was expressed by Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Nikos Tahaios, adding: “Anyone who visits the subway work can only be impressed. It is a project that is a model for the country and puts us on a very high level internationally. “

Noting that the subway expansion to Kalamaria is now in its final straight, he added that “out of the 15 trains have already come” and “three are already in the subway train station in Pylaia, while the fourth is in the port and will be transported within the week” and will be transported to “20”. He pointed out that the seven trains are absolutely essential for the basal line to function normally and in time.

Over 90% the physical object

Answering a question about the progress of the subway extension to Kalamaria, Mr Tahaios said that the civil engineering projects of the basic contract have been completed by more than 90%. “I am referring to the natural object and not to the absorption of funds, which is slightly lower,” he said. He pointed out that there are still six different complex contracts in progress, with the common aim of completing them within the first quarter of 2026.

Regarding the timetable for the start of the commercial operation of the base line and the expansion to Kalamaria, this remains stable, with the aim of late February or early March.

Of course, as he added, to do so, it will take two brief vacations of the basic line, totaling about 1.5 months to make the necessary connections and technical interventions. The holidays will not coincide with the Christmas season, which is considered crucial, as it explained, requires certification not only for the expansion of Kalamaria, but also for the whole network, so that it can be commercial.

Machinery and electronic ticket

Regarding the installation of ticket issuance machines, Mr. Tahaios pointed out that already in some of the Thessaloniki Metro stations have been installed and it is technically possible to issue card tickets. However, as he said, the full activation of the system is scheduled for next week. Since Monday 1/9, all machines are installed and connected.

‘It’s not solidarity – someone pays them’

The Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure did not fail to comment on the phenomenon of users who leave their ticket for the next passenger, clearly stressing:

“It is not an act of solidarity to leave the ticket for the next. Someone pays for it, and that is the Greek taxpayer. We have to understand this at some point. “

Asked what the government plan for the next subway day includes the issue of ticket evasion, Mr. Tahaios pointed out that the announcement of the plan is the responsibility of the Deputy Minister of Transport, Konstantinos Kyranakis. However, as he said: “The full plan is expected to be presented soon.”

It is emphasized that the Deputy Prime Minister, Kostis Hatzidakis, was welcomed by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Nikos Tahaios, and the CEO of “Hellenic Metro SA”, Nikos Kouretas, and the executives of Thema. During the visit, a tour of the Control Center and other key areas of the train station took place, followed by a meeting with officials and competent bodies.

Subsequently, the government delegation went to Aretsu’s construction site in Kalamaria, where the work was inspected and official statements on the progress of the project and the next steps were made.