In a track of modernization<\/b> and substantial reform <\/b>, Athens’ urban public transport<\/b> is moving forward, covering significant miles<\/b> in the direction of sustainable development and green urban mobility.<\/p>\n
A key priority<\/b> of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, as stated by the Deputy Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis<\/b>, is the overall restructuring<\/b> of public transport, “not as a package of impressive showcase projects, but as a conscious effort to get urban transport back on track, with the aim of ensuring the quality and safety of passengers<\/b>“. To this end, OASA<\/b> and OSY<\/b> are “racing” for a modern transport operator, with the key axes of renewing<\/b> the fleet<\/b> vehicles, strengthening human resources<\/b> and digitising<\/b> services, aligned with European standards.<\/p>\n
In this context, OASA and OSY<\/b> are proceeding with new tenders for the modernisation<\/b> of the bus fleet.<\/p>\n
In fact, by the end of 2027,<\/b> the buses<\/b> and trolleybuses<\/b> that will circulate in Lekanopedio<\/b> are expected to be 100%<\/b> modern<\/b> and technologically sound, which constitutes a complete change in the model of road transport in Attica. Around 1,100 brand new vehicles with zero environmental footprint, fully accessible for people with disabilities, will produce traffic work comparable to European standards.<\/b><\/p>\n
Specifically, as recently announced by the CEO of OSI, Stefanos Agiasoglou<\/b>, the supply of new electric buses, hydrogen buses and<\/b> a new generation of trolleybuses with IMC technology is planned, while the inclusion of 125 electric buses in the streets of Athens is already underway, following the latest tender of the Ministry of Transport, with YUTONG as the contractor.<\/p>\n
In the coming months, tenders are expected to “run” hundreds of millions of euros.<\/b><\/p>\n
In particular:<\/b><\/p>\n
79 electric buses and 38 IMC trolleybuses through the NSRF, with an initial budget of around \u20ac100 million.<\/p>\n
-50 fuel cell hydrogen (FCEV) buses through the Modernization Fund, with an initial budget of \u20ac80 million and with the creation of a hydrogen filling station,<\/p>\n
-100 additional electric buses through the Social Climate Fund, with an initial budget of around \u20ac100 million. <\/p>\n
In addition, the leasing of 120 electric buses is planned for the period 2027 – 2037.<\/p>\n
The number of buses in circulation has increased significantly compared to 202020,<\/b>with about 1 bus in circulation every day.000 vehicles of OSI and 200 of the Consortium of Attica Transport (private bus companies).<\/p>\n
The main objective, as stated by OSI management, is to increase the frequency<\/b> and reliability<\/b> of the routes and to increase the use of public transport<\/b>.<\/b><\/p>\n
Recently announced was the enhancement of services for people with disabilities, with the increase of special vehicles<\/b> from 3 to 10. This upgrade allows for more people to be served, with the ability to schedule trips throughout the day. It will now be able to serve 6,000 citizens<\/b> per year, compared to approximately 3,000 to date<\/b>. It will also go from 5,500 trips to 12,000, effectively doubling the number of passengers served. In fact, very soon there will be a transition from the traditional telephone scheduling<\/b> to a modern e-booking system, through a new digital platform and a special app.<\/p>\n
Along with the renewal of the fleet, the practice of assigning bus routes to private individuals<\/b> will continue. A new tender by OASA, worth about \u20ac15 million, is expected to involve 12-13 additional lines. The aim is to free up vehicles and drivers to strengthen key lines with high ridership. It is recalled that already about 74 lines in eastern and western Attica are operated by private operators through a contract.<\/p>\n Target 3,200 drivers by the end of 2026<\/b><\/h3>\n
The shortage of drivers<\/b> is the biggest problem for road transport. There are currently about 2,750 drivers on duty, while the need is increased by about 600 people, which leads – in some cases – to cancellations or dilutions of routes.<\/p>\n
The goal of the management of OSE is to reach 3,200 drivers by the end of 2026<\/b>, in order to fully cover the schedule of routes assigned to the company by OASA<\/b>.<\/p>\n
To address understaffing<\/b>, recruitments have been launched through permanent positions and fixed-term contracts, while an important innovation is the establishment of a driving school by OSI.<\/p>\n
Through this, candidates without a professional diploma are given the opportunity to be trained free of charge, provided they have been employed by the company for five years. That is, if for any reason drivers hired and trained by OSI leave within less than five years, they will have to reimburse the cost of training provided free of charge by the Agency.<\/p>\n
Incentives such as active driver bonuses of 150 euros<\/b> are also being considered to make the profession more attractive, with the salary ranging between 1,650 and 1,700 euros per month.<\/p>\n Designed Athens’ buses<\/b><\/h3>\n
Meanwhile, OASA<\/b>, as announced by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, is giving passengers a say in the new look of the capital’s buses – similarly OSETH in Thessaloniki.<\/b><\/p>\n
For the first time, citizens are invited to actively contribute to the shaping of a modern visual identity for the means of transport in the country’s two largest cities.<\/p>\n
The competition invites designers, artists, students, creative agencies and amateurs to submit their proposals for the new image of the fleet by 20 May<\/b>. <\/p>\n
Entries are submitted exclusively via the dedicated digital platform https:\/\/contest.oasa.gr\/. There will be cash prizes for the best proposals, with the first one amounting to \u20ac10,000. The winners’ designs will form the basis for the new unified image of the two fleets.<\/p>\n
The initiative is part of the overarching plan<\/b> of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport “to upgrade public urban transport and promote sustainable mobility, while highlighting the public role of public transport in everyday life.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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