The race is on in the coming months so that the long-suffering project of the Thessaloniki metro will turn a new chapter. The signing in the next few days of the contract for the 15 additional trains, the submission of tenders for the large PPP of the metro operation and the “double” milestone of April for the first train crossing from Venizelos station and the first relocation of antiquities, make for quite a conundrum.
In order for the moment to arrive, when the first train crossing from the Station in Pylaia to the New Railway Station, a real race will have to be run. This means to complete the infrastructure, i.e. the remaining lines in Venizelos station, the electromechanical installations and to electrify the entire line, 9.6 km long, so that the necessary test routes can now be carried out along its entire length. Today, due to the pendency of Venizelos, tests are being carried out up to the Sintrivani. They are reportedly progressing positively, resolving any expected coordination problems between the various systems that arise at this stage.
Let’s not forget that the Thessaloniki metro may have exhausted all the patience of the city’s residents, knowing a proverbial delay of more than 10 years, since its initial completion horizon was 2012, but it will be a pioneer. It will be the first in Greece with 18 initially driverless trains. The signature for the second batch of 15 trains, both for the needs of the main line and the extension to Kalamaria, is on the way. The contractor for the contract, with a budget of 142 million euros, is the AKTOR-Hitachi scheme, the only one that participated in the tender.
As for Venizelos station, where excavation work only started at the beginning of August, there the machines are at full blast. The excavation has been done, reaching 5 meters below the tunnel, the foundations have been made, the slabs have fallen on all floors and an extra wall has been placed on the right and left to support the antiquities.
Attiko Metro’s goal is to finish all stations including Agia Sofia by September and to have only Venizelos to finish by November. The extension to Kalamaria will follow in 2024. In fact, in this period, the tender issues for the expansion ticket are being prepared.
Final stretch for the PPP consignment
Perhaps the most important link in the chain for the operation of the Thessaloniki metro, as the construction part is developing today, is the partnership agreement for the operator. In order for the metro to open its doors to the first passengers, the operator must be in full order.
This of course means that the margins are very narrow, given that it is estimated that it will take about a year to be ready for war.
After three extensions, due to an appeal, the final date for the submission of bids by the interested schemes for the PPP of 292 million euros, with a duration of eleven years, is February 28, 2023. According to information, on the part of Attiko Metro a new extension of the competition is not qualified. It is noted that after the decision of the Council of State on the application for cancellation and suspension submitted by Intrakat against the decision of EADISY, there was a modification in the terms of the tender.
The next expansions
The first extension of the Thessaloniki metro to enter orbit is to the west, in densely populated neighborhoods of the city of about 500,000 inhabitants. It is estimated that this project will create new poles of development in the city. The contract for the preliminary works, which will be undertaken by AKTOR, is expected to be signed in the next period. The project will start from the New Railway Station and with a length of approximately 11 km, in a circular form, it will pass through the following stations: Eptalofos, Menemeni, Kordelio, Evosmos, Ilioupolis, Stavroupolis, Polichni and Neapolis.
“Macedonia” airport will be the next destination of the city’s metro. During this period, the studies (topographical and technical) for all network extensions are being promoted. At the same time, Attiko Metro is preparing the announcement of a new tender by the end of the year for a consultant regarding all the projects of the Thessaloniki metro.
στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσειςLatest News
IMF: US Tariffs Shake Global Economy, Outlook Downbeat
IMF slashes global growth forecast to 2.8% as U.S. tariffs create uncertainty and ‘negative supply shock
First Step Towards New Audiovisual Industry Hub in Drama
The project is set to contribute to the further development of Greece’s film industry and establish Drama as an audiovisual hub in the region
Airbnb Greece – Initial CoS Ruling Deems Tax Circular Unlawful
The case reached the Council of State following annulment applications filed by the Panhellenic Federation of Property Owners (POMIDA)
Mitsotakis Unveils €1 Billion Plan for Housing, Pensioners, Public investments
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced a new set of economic support measures, worth 1 billion euros, aiming to provide financial relief to citizens.
Alter Ego Ventures Invests in Pioneering Gaming Company ‘Couch Heroes’
Alter Ego Ventures' participation in the share capital of Couch Heroes marks yet another investment by the Alter Ego Media Group in innovative companies with a focus on technology.
Corruption Still Plagues Greece’s Driving Tests
While traffic accidents continue to claim lives on Greek roads daily, irregularities and under-the-table dealings in the training and testing of new drivers remain disturbingly widespread
Pope Francis Died of Stroke and Heart Failure Vatican Confirms
As news of the official cause of death spread, tributes poured in from across the globe. The 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church is united in grief, remembering a pope who championed inclusion, justice, and compassion
Increase in Both Museum Visits, Revenues for 2024
As expected, the Acropolis was the top archeological site in the country, followed by Sounion, Mycenae, the ancient theater of Epidaurus, and Vergina in northern Greece
Where Greece’s Tourists Come From: A Look at 2025’s Top Visitor Markets
The United Kingdom continues to hold the top spot as the largest source of incoming tourism, with 5.6 million seats booked for Greece this summer — up 2.2% from last year. This accounts for 20% of all international air traffic to Greece
Pope Francis: A Pontiff Who Reshaped the Papacy and Sparked a Global Conversation
His first words from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica—“Brothers and sisters, good evening”—set the tone for a pontificate that would challenge norms, favor mercy over dogma, and bring the papacy closer to the people.
![Πλημμύρες: Σημειώθηκαν σε επίπεδα ρεκόρ στην Ευρώπη το 2024 [γράφημα]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FLOOD_HUNGRY-90x90.jpg)
![Ξενοδοχεία: Μεγάλο το ενδιαφέρον για επενδύσεις στην Ελλάδα – Η θέση της Αθήνας [γραφήματα]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Athens-hotels-90x90.jpg)
