For the first time, public transport in Athens will operate 24 hours a day tomorrow, Saturday, July 5th. Specifically, OASA is implementing a pilot 24-hour operation of the Metro (lines 2 and 3), Tram (lines T6 and T7), as well as selected bus lines, covering vital areas of the Athens basin.
Read: Which metro lines will be 24-hour over the weekend
“This initiative enhances the overall transportation experience in the city, offering a safe and reliable option for the public at all hours of the day. It also represents a significant step toward upgrading urban transport services and strengthening Athens’ extroversion,” states a related announcement from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
It is noted that the pilot implementation of the measure, according to the same announcement, will be evaluated at a later stage, based on operational and qualitative data that emerged.
Detailed list of lines operating 24/7 this weekend on trial basis
It should be noted that the pilot 24-hour bus operation on July 5th involves 9 bus lines, in addition to the existing 24-hour and night operation lines.
The additional 24-hour pilot operation lines:
- 164 St. Ag. Dimitrios – Kato Ilioupoli – Argyroupoli – Terpsithea
- 221 University Campus – Academy
- 608 Galatsi – Academy – Zografou Cemetery
- 703 Piraeus – Ag. Anargyroi – Ag. Eleftherios (via Thivon)
- 842 Perama – St. Korydallos
- 049 Piraeus – Omonia
- A15 Larisis Station – Dasos
- B11 Vathi Square – Ilion – Petroupoli
- B12 Attiki Station – Ano Liosia.
The permanent 24-hour operation lines:
- 040 Piraeus – Syntagma
- 11 Ano Patisia – Neo Pagkrati – Nea Elvetia
- X93 Kifisos Intercity Bus Station – Athens Airport
- X95 Syntagma – Athens Airport
- X96 Piraeus – Athens Airport
- X97 Athens Airport – Elliniko Station.
The permanent night operation lines:
- 400 Piraeus – Doukissis Plakentias Station
- 500 Piraeus – Kifisia
- 790 Glyfada – Peristeri – Anthoupoli
- X14 Syntagma – Kifisia.
Kyranakis on Parapolitika 90.1: Goal is 24-hour metro operation every Saturday from September
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Konstantinos Kyranakis, speaking on Parapolitika 90.1 on the show “Why did you wake me up early” with Sotiris Xenakis and Vasilis Skouris stated that if the pilot implementation works successfully, the measure will be adopted from September and every Saturday in Athens. At the same time, he emphasized that ISAP is excluded from the regulation due to its aging fleet, which he characterized as a “museum piece,” as they date from 1983 — with 14 trains already being fully renovated in a factory in Volos. He also referred to the significant renewal of the bus fleet, the state of suburban rail and modernization measures for the railway network, emphasizing the need to enhance safety and quality of transportation.
“The renewal of the bus fleet has exceeded 1/3, by the end of ’25 we will have approximately 1,000 buses in Athens and a corresponding proportion in Thessaloniki. The fleet has been renewed to a very large extent, we will continue until its complete renewal. Obviously, we are simultaneously withdrawing old buses, it’s not 1 to 1 because we want to improve the frequency of routes as well,” Mr. Kyranakis noted.
