The countdown to the delivery of the Thessaloniki Metro to commercial operation has begun. In one month, the people of Thessaloniki will finally be able to move around the co-capital using the underground railway they have been waiting for so many years.
The wait is over for the residents and visitors of Thessaloniki who, from November 30, will have at their disposal a means of fixed orbit, for their daily movements in the central axis of the city. The staff of Helliniko Metro S.A., the project’s contracting construction consortium, as well as the operating company Thema, are working feverishly so that everything is ready for the day of delivery of the long-suffering project.
The test routes of the trains are carried out every day, seven days a week, and at the same time all the necessary checks of the systems are carried out, as the Thessaloniki Metro incorporates the most modern technological data in its construction in combination with the most demanding quality and functionality specifications.
In the coming days, it is also expected to complete the last restoration works of Kapnergata Square, as well as the area around the “Alcazar”, where the entrances to the iconic “Venizelos” station are located.
The features of the Baseline that will be delivered on November 30th
The length of the Main Line of the Thessaloniki Metro is 9.6 km with two independent single-track tunnels. It has 13 modern stations (New Railway Station, Dimokratis, Venizelou, Agia Sophia, Fountain, University, Papafi, Euclid, Fleming, Analipsi, 25th March, Voulgari, New Switzerland) and a 50,000 sq.m. train station, which includes the Operation Control Center, repair base and office space
The expected daily passenger traffic is 254,000 passengers, with a carrying capacity of 18,000 passengers per hour per direction. The time interval between trains will be every 2.5 minutes in the initial stage of commercial operation and every 90 seconds after receiving the extra trains. The journey time, including stops at the 13 stations, will be 17 minutes.
After the delivery of the Extension to Kalamaria, in the second half of 2025, it is expected that 313,000 passengers will be served daily, while it is estimated that approximately 57,000 less vehicles will circulate daily, correspondingly bringing about a reduction in CO2 emissions by 212 tons per day.
Archaeological Findings
Valuable archaeological finds, from different historical periods of the city, came to light during the construction of the stations, with the main ones being the “Venizelos” and “Agia Sofia” stations located within the limits of the historical center of the city.
Citizens will have the opportunity to see the great findings, in Thessaloniki Metro Stations and in museums. In fact, the “Venizelos” Station is internationally the largest archaeological site included in a major technical project. At the same time, part of the 300,000 antiquities found will be exhibited in the Museum being built in the “Crossover Fountain” with a total area of 6,370 sq.m. as well as in the Museum being prepared in the “Pavlos Melas” Metropolitan Park.
Safety and reliability systems
The Thessaloniki Metro with its Automatic System (without a driver) is expected to be one of the most modern, safe and reliable Metros in Europe and worldwide.
The Automatic System (Driverless) has been spreading rapidly in the biggest cities of the world in recent years. It is a System that represents the future in Metro travel, mainly because it provides the highest levels of safety and reliability.
The Automatic System covers the highest safety standards for passengers, as the operation of the Thessaloniki Metro is monitored, daily, with multiple automatic control mechanisms. Thus, it is ensured that every route, every minute and along the entire length of the Network, is carried out in accordance with all safety and security rules.
In addition, the Fixed Platform Screen Doors (PSD) present in all Stations protect passengers during their stay on the platforms as they isolate the area of the tunnels, where the trains are electrified and move, and make it inaccessible.
Finally, another feature of the Thessaloniki Metro and the Automatic System it has is the flexibility of the routes that adapt to the special conditions of everyday life. In this way, in cases of high passenger demand, the Thessaloniki Metro may be able to increase the number of routes serving the passenger public.
Advanced technology innovations and features
• 18 fully automated, air-conditioned trains of 4 vehicles, which will move without a driver, but with an attendant.
• Automatic door systems at each station, to ensure maximum safety for passengers during their stay on the platforms.
• The movement of trains is controlled by wireless transmission 5 – 10 times per second, with an accuracy of position of each train to about 1 meter.
• The operation data of each train (position, speed profile, alarms, diagnostics, signaling data, CCTV cameras, etc.), are transmitted wirelessly, through the same transmission system (DCS) and single antenna.
• There are high-definition cameras inside and outside, as well as at the front and rear of the train, with on-line video-streaming capability to the Operations Control Center.
• The materials of the train have been selected with a low Fire Load, they are recyclable and environmentally friendly in a percentage greater than 95%.
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