The issue of restoring the damage caused by the fires in Northeast Attica, as well as infrastructure projects such as the BOAK and the new means of transport in Athens and Thessaloniki, are key priorities of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
Minister Christos Staikouras referred to the initiatives undertaken by the government to restore the damage to schools and other infrastructures affected by the fires, as well as to the provisions for the safety and restoration of the closed gym of Nea Penteli. He acknowledged that there are still problems, but stressed that work is progressing, with the goal of having schools open in time for the start of the school year.
Specifically he stated:
“I went from the first moment and we went as a government several times, so that we not only did a mapping and assessment of the situation, but also set in motion the resolution of the problems that arose from the catastrophic fire. The damages in the schools are not very big, but they are in all the schools, small damages that add up to approximately, according to the estimates, 270,000 euros.
From painting to some interventions. All these procedures will be implemented by the Building Infrastructures.
The internal procedures until the start of the school year. From Monday, the interventions for the interior spaces and for the exterior spaces begin.
Actual painting will be done until October. The approach to the indoor gym of the Gymnasium and Lyceum of Nea Penteli is distinct, because that is where the indoor gym belongs.
There, the private sector, within the framework of corporate social responsibility, with its own resources, undertakes the restoration of the damages with a metal structure and not a wooden one as far as the roof is concerned.
An assessment of the situation will be made on Monday by the engineers so that we can see the static of the bearing body to see how much time will be required after that to complete the project.
We estimate that our compatriots know that it is about six months.”
Interventions in BOAK
In relation to BOAK, Staikouras emphasized the need for immediate action to deal with traffic accidents until the new road is completed, with interventions such as those implemented in Patras-Pyrgos, which include improvements to the road surface and the use of protective bollards. He acknowledged the difficulties that exist with expropriations and the slow progress of projects, but confirmed that efforts are being made to speed up the processes.
As he said:
“We will go to initiatives similar to the one we have implemented on the road axis Patras – Pyrgos and which have helped in the last two years. The annual number of accidents from 14 to drop to one and one is a violation of traffic rules.
Essentially, there are some interventions on the road surface and several interventions using what we call bollards.
We have identified the points in collaboration with the Ministry of Citizen Protection and in the next period of time we will take initiatives so that the project is implemented. But let me say something. You don’t decide one day and the next day it materializes.
We will do faster procedures today, but in Patras-Pyrgos it took about 15-16 months to complete the process in order to insert the pillars. An international competition is needed. The pillars in Patra-Pyrgos cost 30,000,000 euros”.
The bus fleet
In Athens, Staikouras presented the plan to renew the bus fleet with 950 new vehicles by the summer of 2025, while 250 electric buses have already been released. It also proceeded to sign a contract for 300 new buses, of which 30% are expected to hit the roads within the next three months.
He stated that:
“We said, and I will repeat it today, that by the summer of 2025, 950 new buses will be on the streets of Attica. The 250 electric buses are already on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki.
In Athens, to limit ourselves to Athens, currently there are 140, I remember. These are circulated, seen by the citizens, used by the citizens, used by the youth and in fact very often in an enthusiastic way, because as you understood it has the ability to charge the citizen.
I said in July that OSY is evaluating the proposal of Ethniki Leasing to get 400 leasing buses.
Today at 12 o’clock the contract is signed for 300 new buses, of which 100 are electric, 30% of which as of today we are talking should be on the streets of Athens in the next quarter. And the entire fleet next semester.
From today the time is counting down for the delivery of these buses. On Monday, the circulation of the 211 new buses in Eastern and Western Attica begins. I told you a month and a half ago that in the summer we will start. So on August 26, the first 30 buses will be on the roads of Eastern and Western Attica.
The whole of this fleet will be by early 2025.”
Line 4 of the Metro
Regarding the Athens Metro, the Minister stated that by the summer of 2026, the opening of the tunnel for Line 4 is expected to be completed, with parallel progress in the work on the stations. In Thessaloniki, mention was made of the metro and the new buses, confirming the government’s commitment to improving transport in both of the country’s major cities.
Specifically, he said that:
“What you know and is absolutely true is that by the summer of 2026, the opening of the tunnel up to approximately 13-14 kilometers will be completed, with the two metropolitan
The one that starts from Katehaki and the other that started from Veikou, will be completed first, they work at the same time, but it has started earlier and the distance of one section is shorter, if there are no surprises, the opening of this will be completed.
When we say opening, it doesn’t just open the tunnel with the project, it also builds.
He’s doing both together, so we’ll be ready. And at the same time, work has started on the stations. The project was scheduled to be completed by the end of the decade anyway.”
In Thessaloniki
Regarding Thessaloniki, he said: “the 13 stations will be operational in November 2024. A specific date will be given by the Prime Minister at the TIF and it will be implemented by the end of 25 and the addition of the extension to Kalamaria.
At the same time, already on the streets of Thessaloniki and this is more visible than in Athens, because you realize that the ratio in terms of the total fleet is even greater.
The 110 new electric buses are in circulation. The charging station is ready and has been inaugurated. What will happen now is a new competition from OLTH, as it is also called from OASTH, i.e. the transport operators of the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki and Thessaloniki for leasing respectively Athens and a new fleet from OASTH”.
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