The countdown has begun! After an extensive journey spanning almost two decades, Greece’s authorities have confirmed that Thessaloniki’s primary metro line will officially launch on November 30, 2024. Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, recently highlighted the milestone by noting, “Eighteen full years after the signing of the basic contract for the project on April 26, 2006, Thessaloniki will have a metro.”
How Will Thessaloniki’s Public Transport System Change?
Thessaloniki’s public transport will transition from a bus-only system to a comprehensive dual-network model, integrating both buses and the metro. This will reshape commuting patterns and reduce dependence on cars, alleviating heavy road traffic that has plagued the city for years. Equipped with 18 driverless trains (monitored by attendants for safety), the main metro line is capable of transporting 18,000 passengers per hour in each direction. With a projected total capacity of 254,000 passengers per day, this number is expected to grow to 350,000 with the addition of 15 more trains over time.
How Has Archaeology Impacted the Thessaloniki Metro Project?
The metro’s construction unearthed a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, causing significant delays but also revealing an ancient city beneath the modern one. These discoveries include late Roman and early Byzantine infrastructure, such as remnants of the Decumanus road, an east–west thoroughfare, and numerous coins, pottery, and artifacts made from glass, iron, bronze, marble, and bone. To honor and preserve these findings, antiquities will be displayed at Venizelos Station, transforming this transit hub into a unique museum that bridges Thessaloniki’s ancient past with its present-day advancements.
How Extensive Is Thessaloniki’s Metro Network?
Once fully operational, the Thessaloniki metro will extend 9.6 kilometers (6 miles) and serve 18 stations, 13 of which are already complete. This ambitious €3.5 billion project, funded by loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and contributions from the Greek government, will connect major city points and provide quick, efficient transport for commuters.
What Does the Metro Mean for Thessaloniki’s Future?
Residents are eagerly awaiting the metro’s arrival, which will mark a new era for Greece’s second-largest city. This transformative project, alongside urban redevelopment and traffic relief efforts, represents a significant investment in Thessaloniki’s sustainable future. As it moves closer to reality, Thessaloniki’s metro is set to impact daily life and the city’s overall growth in a way that locals have been waiting for—18 years in the making.
The state-of-the-art project promises to transform urban transit with its innovative design, efficiency, and commitment to modern infrastructure, setting new standards for public transportation across the continent.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Europe’s cutting-edge transit project: the Thessaloniki Metro.
