Via a regulatory legislation (Law 4070/12), ELLINIKO METRO S.A. assumed the responsibility to extend the Tramway network, further to the design and construction of the sections in the existing lines, as presented below:
Extension to Piraeus (Νeo Faliro – Downtown area – Piraeus Port)
| Project Data | |
|---|---|
| Route | Neo Faliro – Mikras Asias – Lambraki – Vas. Georgiou A’ – Port – Ethn. Antistaseos – Om. Skylitsi – Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF) |
| Length | To Piraeus: 3.1 km From Piraeus: 2.3 km |
| Number of Stops | 7 new stops on the inbound route: Karaiskaki Stadium – M. Asias – Lambraki – Evangelistria – Pl. Deligianni – Dimarchio – Akti Possidonos 5 new stops on the outbound route: Ag. Triada – Pl. Ippodamias – 34ou Syntagmatos – Androutsou – Om. Skylitsi |
On January 14th 2013, ELLINIKO METRO S.A. and THEMELI S.A. Contracting Company signed the Contract for the construction of the Tramway Extension to Piraeus, of an amount equal to EURO 61.5 million. This Project is funded in the framework of the National Strategic Reference Framework and “Attica 2007-2013” Operational Program, as well as in the framework of “Attica 2014-2020” Regional Operational Program, and it is supervised by the Special Service for the Management of the Operational Program “Attica Prefecture”.
Prior to the commencement of the main construction works, new traffic arrangements were implemented in the centre of Piraeus in view of providing improved services to both the city and the citizens.
The construction of the tramway has already been completed since 2019, while the relevant operational tests have been successful.
The delivery of the Tramway Extension to Piraeus for revenue service to serve the public had been scheduled for early January 2020. The unfortunate incident of the fire in a building listed for preservation adjacent to the tramway, on Omiridou Skylitsi Street, on 03.01.2020, suspended the tramway commissioning for safety reasons, following an order issued to ELLINIKO METRO S.A. by the Piraeus Traffic Police.
After the fire incident, the competent agencies resolved that the said private building had to be demolished. The pertinent technical and legal procedures have been initiated, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Piraeus.
The problems related to the structural integrity of the building were successfully addressed in October 2021, when the prohibition of the traffic was raised by the Traffic Police and, thus, it was made possible for the tramway vehicles to be delivered back to circulation, for the relevant tests to be completed and for the revenue service of the Tramway Extension to commence on 15.12.2021.
Moreover, ELLINIKO METRO S.A. has conducted an international tender for the procurement of 25 new Tramway trains, thus, further improving the transport services provided by the existing network of the Athens Tramway, as well as covering the new needs in rolling stock arising from the extension of the Tramway network contributing, at the same time, in the sustainable and green development of transportations in the Attica region. Having completed the necessary checks and tests, the new Tramway trains, as of December 15th 2021, have been integrated in the new Extension and in the existing network of STASY S.A. that operates the Metro, Tramway and ISAP networks.
The tramway vehicles are branded “Citadis”, they are manufactured by ALSTOM in the company’s factory in Barcelona, Spain, they belong to the latest Citadis line and they offer a new trip experience, high level of comfort, reduced operating costs and unique aesthetics to enhance the image of the city.
The vehicles are 33.3 m. long, 2.40 m. wide and their carrying capacity is 54 seated passengers and 160 standees (total 214), under loading conditions of 4 passengers per square meter.
They are fitted with ergonomic passenger seats, panoramic windows providing clear view, they offer improved accessibility with double doors, modern LED lighting, improved air conditioning, and spaces for prams, wheelchairs and/or bicycles.
In addition, easy movement of passengers inside the vehicle is permitted, since the vehicle’s design calls for a low height and completely flat floor.
Finally, they are of state-of-the-art technology, as well as safe transport, high performance, dynamic visual and audio information for passengers, they are easy to use / drive, with very low preventive maintenance costs.
ELLINIKO METRO S.A. and the Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport expect that the public will embrace the new vehicles as an asset belonging to all of us and will appreciate their advanced technology, cleanliness and aesthetics, recognizing their contribution, along with the remaining infrastructure Projects, in the enhancement of the image of a modern European capital like Athens and a primary European port like Piraeus.
Finally, it is important to emphasize that, in addition to rendering transport services, ELLINIKO METRO S.A. substantially contributed to the upgrading of the wider areas served by the new Tramway Extension to Piraeus.
In the areas where works had been performed, antiquities were identified and mapped, PUOs were improved, sidewalks were enhanced and new trees and bushes were planted along with the configuration of new green spaces in view of enhancing greenery. A new waste collection system of the latest technology with underground collection bins is also installed in the framework of the project.
The first two vehicles arrived in Athens on August 28, 2020 and gradually, by the end of May 2021, the entire fleet of 25 new vehicles is expected to be delivered, so that after the static and dynamic tests on the Tramway network, they can be released for revenue service.
Through the commissioning of the total of Metro Line 3 Extension to Piraeus on October 10th 2022, the largest Port of the country is now transformed into a modern mass transportation hub, functionally integrating two Metro Lines (Lines 1 and 3), the Port, the Suburban Railway and the Tramway network, effectively facilitating the thousands of passengers who wish to travel by boat.
Piraeus Extension – Phase B’ (Neo Faliro – City Centre – Piraeus Port)
| Project Data | |
|---|---|
| Route | Connection between the centre of Piraeus and Hatzikyriakio Foundation and Freatyda |
| Length | 2.8km of single track and 1 km of double track |
| Number of Stops | 10 new stops |
Extension to Argyroupoli
| Project Data | |
|---|---|
| Route | Elliniko – Depot – Argyroupoli |
| Length | 1.1 km |
| Number of Stops | 3 new stops |
Εxtension from Syntagma to Egyptou Square (Pedio tou Areos)
| Project Data | |
|---|---|
| Route | Syntagma – Pedio Areos |
| Length | 2.2 km |
| Number of Stops | 4 new stops |
Extension to Keratsini
| Project Data | |
|---|---|
| Route | Piraeus Port – Keratsini Port |
| Length | 3.8 km |
| Number of Stops | 6 new stops |
The Athens Tramway network consists in two lines and runs the routes, namely: Syntagma – Voula, Syntagma – Piraeus and Piraeus – Voula. It covers a total length of 31.3km (including also the 2.2km of the line connecting the Depot with the service line).
The Project is an investment of 455 million EURO and was funded mainly by subsidies from the Community Support Programs and Loans from the European Investment Bank.
For the largest portion (95%) of its network, the Tramway vehicles run on an exclusive use corridor.
There is a total of sixty (60) stops on the Tramway network, three (3) of which, i.e. “SYNTAGMA”, “SEF” and “ASKLIPIIO VOULAS” are terminal stops. The average distance between stops is 460 meters and there are four (4) stops giving the option to transfer to the Metro, namely the stops of Syntagma, Neos Kosmos, Fix and SEF.
The average travel speed of the Tramway vehicles is 22 km/h and the max. speed they are permitted to reach is 70 km/h on the coastal section of the route and 50 km/h on the urban section.
