![Athens’ Public Transport System Gets Green “Facelift”](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1-1152x800-1.jpg)
The public transportation system in Greece’s capital city of Athens is getting a “green facelift” through the renewal of its fleet of buses, upgrades to the metro line, and even heightened security at metro stations over the next few years, according to OT.gr.
The green transformation of Athens’ public transport is being conducted by the Urban Transport Organization (OASA), in collaboration with The National Fund of Greece, also known as the Growthfund. The Growthfund manages a substantial portfolio of State-Owned Enterprises valued at 5.5 billion euros.
OASA is a Group of state-owned enterprises and is responsible for the strategic and business planning, coordination and control of public transport in the Attica region, and the plans include OASA’s two 100% owned subsidiaries called Urban Rail Transport SA (STASY) and Road Transport Services SA (OSY).
Fleet Upgrades
At an event which included the CEO of OASA, the CEO of the Growthfund, the CEO of OSY and the CEO of STASY, the leadership detailed the plans which include the complete renewal of Attica’s bus fleet, supported by funding from Greece’s Ministry of Transport.
They plan on adding 951 new buses by 2025 , which will be comprised of 140 electric buses, 300 running on CNG, 300 via leasing and 211 new buses to service suburban routes. Moreover, an additional 550 will be added via a competitive bid process by 2027 which will include 375 new buses and 175 trolleys.
Speaking about the plans, the CEO of OSY Stefanos Agiasoglou said, “Today 1,200 old buses are on the roads and we estimate that by 2027 there will be 1,300 new ones supported by new technologies for the public. The demand is great, if we consider that the fleet conducts approximately 20,000 bus routes per day.”
He added, “The first test routes are already being conducted with 140 new electric buses and we are satisfied with the initial feedback that we have from trial runs.”
The Athens metro system is undergoing 2.5 million euros worth of upgrades including beefing up security through drones to protect the stations from vandalism and even suicide attempts.
Previously announced plans are still underway that involve upgrading decommissioned trains and purchasing new ones.
Hydrogen buses, Trains Powered with PVs and Kinetic Energy
OSY is also experimenting with the idea of integrating hydrogen-fueled buses into its fleet and is piloting the idea through the purchase of 3-4 buses. Refueling of the buses will take place in Ano Liosia, which is just north of Athens’ city center, through a hydrogen refueling station.
The CEO of STASY Thanasis Kottaras reminded attendees of the event of the pilot project to harness the power generated from the braking of trains to kinetic energy, and put it back into the grid.
Initial projection show that 12.5% of total annual consumption will be recovered through the 4 million euro budgeted project.
Kottaras added that STASY is waiting for its application to install PV panels and generate its own electricity at its tram station in the Ellinikon area, located south of Athens, to be approved by the Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HENDO or DEDDIE).
The PV panels will cover an estimated 73% of the station’s needs and lower energy costs by 330,000 euros per year, said Kottaras.
Source: tovima.com
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/power-lines-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates
According to reports, the government will resume an electricity subsidization program, given that forecasts cite disruptions – i.e. higher rates
![ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ot_georg_PROIONTA_money-1-600x352.png)
ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock
The 6.3% rise in May 2024 is largely driven by an 8.8% increase in the crop output group, particularly due to changes in olive oil prices, and a 0.5% increase in the animal output group.
![Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/blackout-1-600x457.png)
Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids
The surge in electricity demand during the heat wave and the power deficit in Balkan markets have driven up prices in the Greek wholesale electricity market.
![Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ploio-600x400.jpg)
Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists
Greece was selected by 5.9% of respondents who were asked where they would vacation this year, up from 5.4% in the same survey last year
![Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/euros-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive
The international ratings firm raised Greece to investment grade in early August 2023
![First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hellenic-seaplanes-pilotikes-ptiseis-ydatino-pedio-lavriou-600x450.jpeg)
First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros
After decades of on-again, off-again efforts to schedule regular seaplane routes to Greece's numerous island and coastal destinations the prospect now appears within sight
![ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/unnamed-41.jpg)
ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y
The same price index had decreased 20.8% from May 2022 to May 2023
![Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ergasia-ergazomenos-600x300.jpg)
Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated
Specifically, the option "Subjective opinions are prioritized over objective data" ranked highest in importance for young employees, with a score of 3.89 out of 4
![OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ergasiabusinness-768x556-1-1-600x434.jpeg)
OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece
By the fourth quarter of 2023, job vacancies per unemployed person had risen by more than 4, with the index reaching 446 units compared to 100 units in late 2019
![OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ΟΤΕ-Group_1-600x450.jpg)
OTE Group: FTTH Program Advancing in Semi-Urban and Rural Areas of Greece
This initiative will provide ultra-fast internet speeds of up to 1Gbps to over 350,000 households and businesses in semi-urban and rural areas across the country