Mr. Christos Tsitouras, Chairman of the BoD and Managing Director of ATTIKO METRO S.A. presented ATTIKO METRO S.A. Projects and Program to Mr. Werner Hoyer, European Investment Bank (EIB) President, and briefed him accordingly, during the scheduled meeting with Mr. Michalis Chryssochoidis, Minister of Infrastructures, Transport and Networks and Mr. Stratos Simopoulos, Secretary General of Public Works. As pointed out by Mr. Tsitouras, ATTIKO METRO S.A. Projects could not have possibly been implemented if they had not been integrated into the funding schemes of the European Union and without the support of the EIB, whose contribution has been decisive as of the establishment of ATTIKO METRO S.A. until the present date.
ATTIKO METRO S.A. Chairman presented the general work carried out by our Company during the last 20-year period. More specifically, 61km of network with 65 stations in Athens and Thessaloniki, of an overall cost amounting to 6.4 billion EURO, are currently in operation and under construction. In addition, 52km of network with 46 stations of an overall cost amounting to 5.2 billion EURO, are currently in the design and planning phases. Moreover, ATTIKO METRO S.A. has undertaken the implementation of the project pertaining to the design and construction of the Tramway Extension. In particular, 32km of the Tramway network are currently in operation or under construction, while another 9km of the network are in the design and planning phases; the overall cost amounts to 600 million EURO. Mr. Tsitouras made reference to the remaining projects that have been scheduled, such as the conversion of Line 1 into an underground line at its section “Neo Faliro – Piraeus”, the design – construction of the Intercity Bus Terminal and the re-structuring of the Center of Athens with Panepistimiou Street as focal point. The aforesaid re-structuring combines the architectural re-development of Athens central road arteries and squares with the Tramway Extension from Syntagma to Egyptou Square. Mr. Tsitouras made also reference to smaller scale projects, such as parking and transfer facilities within the current programming period.
Mr. Christos Tsitouras emphasized the ability of ATTIKO METRO S.A. – during its 20-year period of operation – to plan, design, put to tender, supervise the construction and commission especially complex projects, such as the Metro and Tramway, in a safe and reliable way, exhibiting at the same time the quality and aesthetics needed.
Therefore, he assures that ATTIKO METRO S.A. is more than ready to undertake an ambitious program concerning the extensions of its networks, on condition that they are integrated into the respective community programs. This way, our Company will essentially contribute to the financial development of our country, ensuring at the same time thousands of job positions, while it will also offer the option to more citizens of Athens and Thessaloniki to enjoy safe, comfort, rapid and reliable trips using the most environment-friendly means of public transport.
Finally, Mr. Werner Hoyer, EIB President and EIB Management Committee, Messrs. Michalis Chryssochoidis, Minister of Infrastructures, Transport and Networks and Stratos Simopoulos, Secretary General of Public Works, visited ELLINIKO Station of Elliniko Extension, recently handed over to the public. During the subject visit, EIB President expressed his full satisfaction to Mr. Christos Tsitouras, Chairman of the BoD and Managing Director of ATTIKO METRO S.A., as regards the Metro Projects, stressing at the same time that the support on the part of the EIB should be taken for granted for the remaining projects scheduled by our Company in Athens and Thessaloniki.
