Greek Ministry Announces Sustainable Transportation Strategy for Attica

Photo source: Transport Ministry

Greek authorities are currently drafting a “New Strategic Plan for Transportation” for the Region of Attica, the Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation announced on Tuesday.

According to the ministry, with hundreds of thousands of citizens relying on public transportation in Attica daily, a strategic plan is deemed essential for improving quality of life while promoting sustainable mobility and supporting green transport networks.

The new transportation strategy, which will be developed in collaboration with the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) and the national fund of Greece, Growthfund, is designed to span a 20-year period.

The transportation framework will focus on four main pillars: sustainable mobility, accessibility, the integration of innovative technologies, and environmental protection. It is expected to be finalized by May 2025.

Currently, OASA is gathering data from all municipalities within the Region of Attica regarding various modes of travel, including the metro, tram, buses, trolleys, and taxis. This assessment will also encompass movements to and from ports and airports, along with commercial traffic.

The ultimate objective is to create a comprehensive “new transportation map” that enhances the quality of life for residents by integrating all forms of public transportation to operate seamlessly together.

“A new strategy is being developed, aligned with the goals of the European transportation system, to address climate change and enhance competitiveness,” said Greek Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Christos Staikouras during an event to announce the initiative.

Staikouras: Seeking funding for additional 700 green buses

Transport Minister Christos Staikouras.

In his speech, Staikouras outlined several initiatives underway to improve public transportation in Attica, such as renewing the fleet of public buses, extending metro lines, and upgrading train carriages.

He said that by the end of 2025, Attica will see 950 new environmentally friendly buses on its streets, and the ministry is pursuing funding for an additional 700 buses and trolleys.

A public transportation plan for the next 20 years in Attica

Growthfund President Grigoris Dimitriadis emphasized that public transportation is “the only choice” for achieving a clean and environmentally friendly city. “That is what the residents of Attica and its visitors deserve,” he noted.

OASA CEO Giorgos Spiliopoulos remarked that the framework being developed is intended to serve as the foundation for a new transportation system focused primarily on public transport networks over the next two decades.

According to Thanasis Tsianos, president of the Association of Greek Traffic Engineers and Transportation Planners, the existing road network can only accommodate a limited number of vehicles and cannot support all movements made by private cars.

“For every one euro we invest in roads, we should invest multiple times that amount in promoting public transportation to effectively address traffic and movement challenges in metropolitan areas,” he advised.