Brussels, 29 November 2024
Co-financed with over €1 billion from the Cohesion Policy funds, the Thessaloniki metro in Greece will officially open to the general public tomorrow, promising to reshape the daily life of thousands of people travelling across the city.
The metro with its state-of-the-art technology includes automated and driverless trains, expecting to attract over 340,000 daily passengers. The metro will span 9.6 km, connecting 13 stations, with an additional 5 stations to be added by the end of 2025. The metro will improve connectivity across the city and is expected to reduce traffic congestion by 57,000 vehicles per day and cut pollutants by 212 tonnes daily.
During its construction, important landmarks and artefacts from the history of the city were discovered as well as thousands of archaeological findings. These discoveries are integrated into the architecture of the metro stations, turning them into living museums that celebrate the city’s history, connecting the modern infrastructure with Thessaloniki’s rich cultural heritage.
The metro will officially open tomorrow, with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis inaugurating the first ride together with representatives from the European Commission, including the upcoming Commissioner for Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
To mark the historical opening, the city will be transformed into an outdoor festival next week, featuring artistic activities, performances, dance workshops, games, and entertainment.
Source – EU Commission