Complete upgrade of accessibility to public transport in Atica by increasing the number of AmeA vehicles on the OSS from 3 to 10 and expanding timetables.

A New phase of upgrading of Attica’s public transport system is entering a new phase of upgrading, with Konstantinos Kyranakis presenting a significant enhancement of the special service fleet for people with disabilities, which essentially changes the facts of daily travel. Increasing the number of PSO vehicles from 3 to 10 creates a more dense and functional transportation network, enhancing accessibility for citizens with mobility and sensory disabilities and expanding opportunities for free transportation throughout the basin. At the same time, this initiative is part of a broader framework of interventions for more inclusive public transport, targeting the gradual removal of chronic barriers and the practical implementation of equal access to the city.

An essential step towards enhancing accessibility to public urban transport is being implemented in Attica, with the increase of special service vehicles for people with disabilities of OSSY from 3 to 10, significantly expanding the possibilities of daily mobility for hundreds of citizens.

Accessibility to be reflected in practice

The new vehicles were presented at the OSI depot, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Konstantinos Kyranakis, who stressed the need for accessibility to be reflected in practice, through specific services that facilitate the daily life of citizens with disabilities.

As he noted, the increase in the fleet of special service vehicles is expected to more than double the available routes, expanding the coverage of mobility needs for people with mobility and sensory disabilities, with free provision of the service.

The Minister’s statement

The Deputy Minister said: “I really want to congratulate the whole team of OSI and OASA, Stefanos Agiasoglou, Antonis Kerastaris and of course all the executives and people who worked for this day. Accessibility in practice is something very different from accessibility in laws or in words.

Many times we legislate in the Parliament, we say that access must be truly equal, that the organizations must be adapted, that buildings and vehicles must be accessible. From a law on paper to having real vehicles that run real routes for real people, there is a very long way to go – and these people here have covered it.

Today comes to complement a comprehensive policy that we as a government have in place for our fellow human beings with disabilities, both mobility and sensory. I recall that access to public transport for people with disabilities is free.

Recently we launched the Disability Card, which was linked to the OASA electronic ticketing system, so that people can have free access to the Metro and buses without having to provide documentation or go through the hassle of procedures that they experienced in previous years.

This year, the entire OSI fleet has wheelchair ramps, and all staff – drivers and conductors – have been trained to be able to respond to situations where support for passengers with disabilities is required.

Today we are further strengthening our fleet with the new vehicles. To date we have operated three vehicles, serving over 3,000 people annually. With this significant addition, from three to 10 vehicles, we will be able to more than double our routes and serve many more of our fellow citizens.

Days like today fill us with satisfaction, because that is what politics is all about: identifying problems that have remained unsolved for years, working systematically and giving society the service it deserves – and for free.

From today, with the enhanced routes of these 10 vehicles, every fellow citizen in Attica can call by phone – and soon online -, make an appointment and be served at any time of the day, whether it’s for commuting to work, or for personal or social needs.

It’s our duty to society. I want to thank our frontline people, our drivers, who make a great effort every day, with professionalism and courtesy, to serve our citizens.

To our fellow citizens with disabilities, who are fighting their own daily battle, we must do everything in our power, showing in practice our humanity and our role in a society that is being tested.

Congratulations to all. This effort will continue. The fight for accessibility does not stop here. Good luck to the drivers who will be operating the new vehicles to serve citizens with disabilities.”