ATHENS | Public Transport

[Falubaz]

I assume they'll open them this year soon, right? What is the official date of opening?

[nastyathenian]

The situation is a bit complicated. In a couple of months works will be complete in the remaining 7 stations in all aspects, except for signaling. You see, the signaling job was awarded to Siemens, because Athens metro already uses Siemens’ systems which are incompatible with those of other companies. The problem is that Siemens has bribed an unknown number of Greek politicians. This scandal is being investigated by a parliamentary commission, with no concrete results so far. So the Transport Minister does not want to sign the contract, out of fear of being accused to be one of those politicians.

At least this is the official excuse. IMO this is bull shit. The Greek state has no money to pay the contractors, that’s why they are obstructing all public works.

[Antje]

A bout the extensions still under construction: I hate to say this but considering the current financial and corruption situation... NEVER?

A far cry from my version of the Regulatory Plan.

[nastyathenian]

Let's get down to earth with a few pictures, taken by me.

Anthoupoli (line 2) today:







Elliniko (line 2):





Ilioupoli (line 2):

[Antje]

The real long term plan, Mark II:



Line 5 is now joined with Line 4.

[batman08]

Seeing the future scheme of subway constantly making adjustments. When will construction begin on line 4?

[Antje]

Originally Posted by batman08

Seeing the future scheme of subway constantly making adjustments. When will construction begin on line 4?

I hate to say this, but by the way it looks, probably not for at least a decade.

[nastyathenian]

Renovation works on the tracks of line 1 were completed about a month ago, except for the part between Neo Faliro and Piraeus, which will be buried later. The whole route now lasts about 47 minutes, instead of 55 minutes. I was surprised to find a comprehensive video taken from the driver’s cab:



Note the different design of each station!

As for the new stations on lines 2 and 3, there is a little complication. They are virtually ready, except for the signaling installations. The problem is that the company that won the tender a few years ago, Siemens, was involved in bribing scandals. Therefore, no public works minister wanted to sign the contract, out of fear of being accused of accepting bribes! Now it seems that the contract will be signed after all. Unfortunately we’ll have to wait 15 more months until the 7 new stations are opened to the public.

Elliniko







Argyroupoli



Alimos





Peristeri



Aghia Marina (former Haidari)



www.ametro.gr

[Woonsocket54]

Originally Posted by nastyathenian

As for the new stations on lines 2 and 3, there is a little complication. They are virtually ready, except for the signaling installations. The problem is that the company that won the tender a few years ago, Siemens, was involved in bribing scandals. Therefore, no public works minister wanted to sign the contract, out of fear of being accused of accepting bribes! Now it seems that the contract will be signed after all. Unfortunately we’ll have to wait 15 more months until the 7 new stations are opened to the public.

Why 15 months? The stations look good to go.

[Gag Halfrunt]

Presumably it will take 15 months to get the signalling systems manufacturered and installed.

[Antje]

The 8-line plan is back but there's no change from the version prior to the cuts. Given the economic situation, I think it is still a governmental fantasy. A default would even mean service cuts (most likely the suspension of the Douk. Plakentias - Airport section on L3).

[Gzdvtz]

I really like the stations! Great work!

[intelligentBG]

Originally Posted by Antje

The 8-line plan is back but there's no change from the version prior to the cuts. Given the economic situation, I think it is still a governmental fantasy. A default would even mean service cuts (most likely the suspension of the Douk. Plakentias - Airport section on L3).

O, are there any real plans in such direction – to suspend the service between D.Plakentias and airport?

[Antje]

Originally Posted by intelligentBG

O, are there any real plans in such direction – to suspend the service between D.Plakentias and airport?

No, but I would say it is a logical scenario, since L3 duplicates the Proastiakos for the stretch. However, I am talking about the worst case scenario. The worst of the worst worst case scenario would be total closure, which is nearly impossible given the importance of the network, but recent general strikes have limited operating hours to, as far as I know, 10:00 to 17:00.

[Blackraven]

How's the Athens Metro doing these days (even in light of the economic crisis that Greece is in right now)?

[Antje]

10 & 11 Feb. 2012: No AMEL (L2 + L3) service. ISAP (L1) limited to 1000-1700.

Primary concern: escalating strikes.

[nastyathenian]

We should not write about strikes in this thread. Strikes are temporary, Athens metro is eternal.

Meanwhile, the first one of the 17 third-generation train sets has arrived from Korea. In the pictures we can see a part of it:





http://athenstransport.com

Hopefully we' ll have all of them by next summer. Total cost: 155 mln euros.

[Axelferis]

very beautiful small metro

[nastyathenian]

Now that the contract for the extension of line 3 to Piraeus was signed at last, I thought it would be interesting to present the areas that will be served by it.

First, a little information from the source:

http://www.ametro.gr/page/default.asp?la=2&id=383#

Numbers to remember:

Length: 7.6 km

Stations: 6

Cost: 660,000,000 EUROs

Scheduled completion year: 2017



And a pdf file in Greek:

http://www.ametro.gr/files/pdf/AM_Peiraias_s.pdf

Next, some Bing maps, completed by me with a blue arrow showing future station entrances.

Agia Varvara

A municipality with 26490 inhabitants, including many well-integrated Gypsies.



Korydallos

63550 inhabitants, well-know all over the country for its jail. Those awnings on the square hide tables and chairs of the numerous cafes. Too bad that their function will be disrupted for the years to come.



Nikea

A somewhat bigger municipality, with 105230 inhabitants. It is true that not all of them live near the station, but hopefully there will be some good bus connections!



The next 3 stations are within the municipality of Piraeus, 163910 inhabitants, featuring the busiest passenger port in Europe, with about 20 mln passengers per year.

Maniatika

Not being in a central area, this station will probably be the less useful one in this extension.



Piraeus

This area is well-known to tourists who arrive in Piraeus with metro line 1, in order to embark on ships for the islands. About 100m away from the historic building of metro 1 station there is a suburban railway station. The tram should also pass from Akti Poseidonos and a monorail is also planned within the port facilities, let alone buses and taxis. All these means of transport converging in such a narrow place will create a mess IMO. If I had planned metro line 3 I would NOT bore its tunnel through this area, but about 1 km away, at a safe distance from sea water.



Here is the station’s section:



Dimotiko Theatro

This will be the definite terminal station for line 3, right in the center of Piraeus. In the beginning, the line was supposed to turn right after Dimotiko Theatro towards Passalimani, but the subsoil proved to be inadequate. Then it was planned to turn left towards Evaggelistria, but the bishop objected, as this would disrupt his home for the elderly!

[salgi]

molto bella!!very beautiful!