Athens Metro: passenger traffic soared to new record levels – Record traffic at the Airport metro station

According to STASY data, in February, passengers using one of the three lines reached 20.63 million. Considering that passenger traffic was 20.2 million in February 2019, this is an increase of about 2.2% compared to that month.

Similarly, passenger traffic was up 17.07% compared to February 2023, with 17.61 million passengers. Also, the January figures are very promising, as with 20.42 million passengers, there was an increase of about 6.63% compared to the same month in 2023. It should be noted that we are not talking about validations but about passenger traffic, as many users have long-term cards.

The return of passenger traffic to pre-COVID-19 levels, and even surpassing them, signifies that passengers have fully returned to the Athens Metro network. This is positive because it means increased revenue for STASY, but it also brings increased responsibilities. At the same time, available trains during peak hours are starting to fill up, especially at the network’s central stations.

Indeed, this increase comes before the automatic gates at the six Metro stations of Line 3 in Piraeus start operating. Their operation is estimated to commence in the spring. Until today, validators on buses have been operating as a temporary solution, so passenger traffic cannot be accurately calculated.

It is estimated that with their operation and further attraction of passengers, the increase for this year could reach up to 10%. However, according to STASY data, there has also been an increase in revenue, as it ranged around +20% in 2023 compared to 2022. According to sources from the company on ypodomes.com, the tightening of controls has contributed to this.

Daily passenger traffic on all three Metro lines now stands at around 700,000 passengers, slightly lower than the levels seen in 2019.

Record passenger traffic at the airport station.

Passenger traffic at the “El. Venizelos” Airport Metro Station continues to set records. In October 2023, essentially the last month of the previous season, 202,000 passengers were recorded, marking a record number for this particular station.

The continuous increase in airport passenger traffic has essentially acted as a chain reaction, impacting the Metro’s passenger traffic as more passengers are recorded. With airport statistics increasing even in 2024, the traffic at the Metro station is expected to increase further.

This increase, however, also creates problems as it reaches very high levels, posing a challenge for serving the growing passenger demand. Additionally, the Airport Suburban Railway line does not particularly help in this regard, as passengers do not seem to prefer this mode of transportation.

According to company sources, STASY is exploring many possibilities to meet the demands of this route, and decisions will follow.

The much-anticipated tender by Greek Metro for the acquisition of 7 new metro trains is expected to solve passenger congestion. These trains will increase the available fleet for airport service and improve frequencies, which have reached intervals of 36 minutes with the extension to Piraeus.

Hirings

Increased needs lead to proactive measures to reinforce personnel. Through ASEP (Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection), a competition has been launched for approximately 60 drivers and station masters, while a competition will also be announced for about 60 permanent technicians. It is estimated that these competitions will be completed within 2024.

According to information, approximately 100 technicians who will be relocated from the Skaramagka Shipyards will also contribute to personnel reinforcement. It is recalled that some hirings for drivers and station masters were made within 2023, but the needs arose due to the personnel’s ageing and expected retirements.

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