Thessaloniki Metro: a race against time for the completion of the core line – 15 new trains in the pipeline

The race continues for the completion of the main line project of the Thessaloniki Metro from the New Railway Station to Nea Elvetia.

Without a doubt, the most important active construction site is that of the construction of the VENIZELOS station. There, according to information, the excavations are progressing as planned and in mid-October, the tunnels were “drilled” at the VENIZELOS station.

Here, we should remember that the TBMs have passed by the station for several years, when there was still a certain embroilment in its construction. With the start of construction work on the station, excavations began and gradually reached the bottom, almost, of the station, finding the constructed tunnels.

For those who are not aware, all Thessaloniki Metro stations have a central platform and lines on both sides (as in Athens, for example, Agios Dimitrios, Ethniki Amyna, Egaleo stations). This means that after the drilling of the tunnels is completed, the construction of the station can begin from the bottom.

According to Attiko Metro’s planning, the construction of the station will be completed by the end of March. From there, the way is opened to extend the test routes (currently taking place in the Sintrivani – Nea Elvetia section) and in the Agia Sofia-Venizelou-Demokratias-New Railway Station section.

The big goal of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, as stated by the Minister of Infrastructure , Kostas Karamanlis and the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Giorgos Karagiannis, is to complete the project by the end of 2023 and to put the line of 13 stations into operation , breaking the wait of more than 17 years since the start of its construction. Within 2024, it is estimated that the Kalamaria line will also operate with an additional 5 stations, completing the first construction phase of the Thessaloniki Metro.

15 new trains are coming

The signing of the contract for the supply of 15 additional trains that will be added to the existing 18 is considered a matter of days. The fleet of 33 trains will be able to run up to every 90 seconds during peak hours on both lines. The relevant tender of Attiko Metro started on January 31 with AKTOR-HITACHI being the sponsoring scheme. Hitachi has also manufactured the first 18 trains.

Of the 15 trains, six are planned for the main line which will thus reach 24 trains and the remaining 9 will cover the extension to Kalamaria. The new trains will operate like the existing ones, automatically without a driver.

The trains will be physically and functionally compatible with the existing Thessaloniki Metro system, i.e. with the Basic Project, the extension to Kalamaria, the Pylaia Station with the existing rolling stock maintenance equipment as well as with the existing rolling stock. The amount of the tender is 176.08 million euros including VAT (amount without VAT 142 million euros).

The competition for the operation

At the same time, the launch of the PPP competition for the operation and maintenance of the Thessaloniki Metro is expected. According to well informed sources, important operator companies of corresponding Metro systems abroad have shown initial interest and it remains to be seen which and how many schemes will finally participate.

According to the notice, on December 2nd the files will be submitted and on the 8th the tenders will be unsealed. The goal of Attiko Metro and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is to sign the contract within 2023 as it is a prerequisite for the Metro of the city of Thessaloniki to be able to operate.

The duration of the contract is set at 132 months, i.e. for a period of 11 years. According to the announcement, no further extension of the contract period is mentioned. The total estimated value of the contract including VAT is EUR 362.08 million (without VAT EUR 292 million). The project will be repaid with availability payments from Attiko Metro.