Greek MPs Lose Ferry Travel Freebies

Greek MPs and PNO unionists are among those who will now have to pay for their tickets when traveling on a Greek ferry just like everybody else.

Minister of Shipping and the Aegean Miltiadis Varvitsiotis recently signed a decision that included alterations to the categories of passengers and vehicles entitled to free or discounted travel on Greek ferries.

The new categories were evaluated and adopted based on the income and social status of beneficiaries.

The decision abolished a list of passengers that have been traveling free of charge for the past years. The list includes Greek MPs; former MPs; bishops; chiefs of the Greek police, coast guard, fire department; presidents and general secretaries of seafarer unions; and PNO (Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation) members.

Also, active MPs and former MPs of islands will now be charged when transporting their vehicles on a ferry boat.

According to the decision, passengers entitled to free or discounted travel on Greek ferries include the needy, children up to five years of age, victims of war, people with disabilities (such as blindness) or reduced mobility of 80 percent or more and multi-child families.