Transport Minister: Thessaloniki Metro to Be Ready on Time in 2024

Photo source: Transport Ministry.

Thessaloniki’s highly anticipated metro will be ready on time, in the second half of 2024, confirmed Transport and Infrastructure Minister Christos Staikouras, adding that parallel projects will establish the northern port city into a major transport hub.

“Thessaloniki is turning into a city of holistic development with the launch and completion of very important projects and interventions which will strengthen its geopolitical and geo-strategic footprint in Southeast Europe,” said Staikouras in an interview to local newspaper Macedonia on Sunday.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Christos Staikouras / Photo source: Transport Ministry.

The Thessaloniki metro is scheduled to operate with 18 trains in 2024 initially along the 9-kilometer basic line which includes 13 stations. Once completed, the metro will serve some 250,000 commuters a day.

Among others, the minister referred to government actions to decongest city centers. In this direction he referred to the construction of a flyover (elevated expressway) aimed at easing Thessaloniki traffic. Additionally, he said new bus routes would be added next month, more drivers hired, and 110 new buses would be hitting the streets by April 2024.

“Thessaloniki is improving the quality of life of its residents and visitors, transforming, evolving, developing, and progressing,” he said.

Photo source: Transport Ministry

Staikouras also referred to other works in the pipeline that are expected to change life in Thessaloniki, including the upgrade of the Thessaloniki-Edessa road network and linking Pier 6 of the city’s port with the national roadway. Other projects include the creation of the Pavlos Melas metropolitan park and of a new technology park, linking the rail station with the port, a new terminal at Thessaloniki’s Makedonia airport, the renovation of the city’s expo center, a new children’s hospital, and the redevelopment of central Aristotelous Square and of the beach area.