On Saturday November 30th 2024, the Thessaloniki Metro system was handed over to the public for revenue service.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou and the leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport, gave the signal for the Metro system commissioning, by symbolically pressing the button in the Operation Control Centre (OCC) of the Thessaloniki Metro upon completion of the ceremony held at Pylea Depot.
At the same time, the roller shutters at the entrances of all 13 Metro stations opened to the public and the passengers started boarding the trains.
“The city of Thessaloniki is now acquiring a modern, reliable, safe and environmental-friendly fixed route mode of transport. A journey has come to its end. Another great journey just commenced”; this statement was made by Mr. Nikolaos Kouretas, CEO of ELLINIKO METRO S.A., during his speech given at the ceremony for the handing over of the Metro Project.
The event included speeches and greetings given by: the Minister of Culture, Ms. Lina Mendoni, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Christos Staikouras, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport responsible for Infrastructure issues, Mr. Nikolaos Tachiaos, the EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Mr. Stylianos Aggeloudis, the Chairman and CEO of AKTOR Group of Companies, Mr. Alexandros Exarchou and the CEO of THEMA S.A., the Thessaloniki Metro Operation and Maintenance Company, Mr. Carlo Bianco.
The CEO of ELLINIKO METRO S.A. Mr. Nikolaos Kouretas expressed his thanks to all those who contributed to the completion of the Thessaloniki Metro Project while, addressing himself to the Prime Minister, stressed the following: “Prime Minister, I would like to extend my warmest thanks to you for your support and for believing in our goal. Your presence here today is a confirmation of your commitment to making the city of Thessaloniki more modern, more functional and friendlier to the citizens and visitors. We, in our turn, have proven that ELLINIKO METRO S.A. is a company that can implement the most difficult and complex projects by implementing all new technologies ensuring maximum safety and comfort. ELLINIKO METRO S.A. is the only company worldwide able to construct underground projects in archaeological sites, by detaching entire sections of cities and placing them back in the most successful way. I would like to warmly thank you for your presence here today and invite you to celebrate together this new page in the history of our city which will bring Thessaloniki closer to the citizens, closer to the future”.
