The Greek capital’s new Metro system has the capacity to serve 650,000 people per day	Major projects carried out by OSE have made rail journeys safer, faster, and more comfortable

NE of the most modern underground railway systems in Europe, the new Athens Metro is one of the glories of the rejuvenated Greek capital. Opened in 2000, the service is fast and reliable, and many of the stations feature archaeological exhibits uncovered during construction.

Extensions and a number of new stations were added this year in time for the Olympic Games, during which hundreds of thousands of spectators used the system to travel to and from the sports venues.

The extensions include a 30-minute link between Syntagma Square and the international airport—partly using tracks of the suburban railway. Another new section extends beyond Kifissos River, reducing the travelling time of passengers from the city’s western suburbs.

Further stations and extensions of the lines are planned. “The Metro has become an important part of the social and business life of Athens,” says George Yannis, Attiko Metro’s President and Chairman. “But there are still large areas of Athens that are not served. Our major goal is to create a network of 140 miles by 2012, and we are looking for financing.”

Currently, the 3-line network extends over a total length of 32 miles with 48 stations. With the new extensions added this summer, the network is capable of serving up to 650,000 people per day.

The tender for the construction of the second phase of the Line 2 southbound extension,due to be completed by the end of 2008, is currently under way. An extension of Line 2 further westward is expected to be fully developed by the end of 2007, and a westbound extension of Line 3 to be commissioned by the end of the same year.

According to Mr. Yannis, a variety of funding options is being considered. One idea might be to link up with a construction firm to combine real estate development around a station with financing of the project of around 15%. “We are examining all possibilities,” he says.

Meanwhile, major investment is being put into developing Greece’s railway network. Huge projects are being carried out by Hellenic Railways (OSE), the national railway carrier, to make journeys faster, safer, more reliable, and more comfortable, and create new opportunities for business and exports.

Projects to improve and upgrade the existing network are currently in progress in all three railway regions of the country—Macedonia-Thrace, Peloponnese, and Athens—and are on schedule to be completed by 2008.

GEORGE YANNIS Chairman of Attiko Metro	KONSTANTINOS GIANNAKOS President and Managing Director of OSE

“The entire network constitutes an extensive working site,” says Konstantinos Giannakos, OSE’s President and Managing Director. “The fulfillment of our objectives will greatly shorten the traveling time between main cities and will create new opportunities.”

Modern rolling stock is being introduced to achieve a service level similar to that of the most advanced European networks, and stations are being smartened up.

Freight villages are being developed as a modern interface between rail, road, sea and air transportation. Mr. Giannakos says cooperation with the private sector is considered to be the best way to develop freight villages. “This is an opportunity for private companies to invest, in order to develop buildings, stores etc as well as other activities around those already available at the freight village.”

The Greek railway network passes through many landscapes of rare beauty, and OSE has also been renovating tourist routes, such as the Diakofto – Kalavrita and Pilio line.

One of the biggest infrastructure projects planned for the future is a 460-mile Western Railway Corridor, connecting the western ports of Greece to the main body of the railway infrastructure. “Completion of the project, which is planned for 2014, will radically change the face of both the railway and of transport in Greece. It will bring great benefits to the economy,” says Mr. Giannakos.