Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis travelled at midday on the first refurbished train on the Electric Railway (Line 1), which entered service last week.
The prime minister, accompanied by Deputy Transport Minister Giorgos Kotsiras and STASY chief executive Thanasis Kottaras, boarded the first of a total of 14 trainsets due to be fully refurbished and modernised, travelling from Thiseio station to Moschato.
The refurbished trains have been upgraded to improve accessibility, including the safe transport of wheelchairs. They have new motors, a closed-circuit television system to improve passenger safety and an upgraded air-conditioning system.
The interiors have been fully renovated, with LED lighting, new seats, floors, windows and side panels, as well as new screens and modern passenger information systems.
“The truth is that Line 1 is currently in a very poor state because its trains are extremely old. But that is changing,” the prime minister said.
“Over the next year, we will take delivery of 14 fully refurbished, new trainsets that are accessible, air-conditioned, clean and comfortable, with dedicated spaces for fellow citizens with disabilities. And this is just one of the many steps we are taking to support public transport in the capital,” he added.
The programme to refurbish and modernise the 14 trainsets aims to upgrade Line 1 as a whole. The historic line serves a key public transport corridor in Athens, while the programme is also expected to increase service frequency.
The project is scheduled for completion by 2027, marking a new chapter for Line 1, as 22 years have passed since rolling stock was last added.
The trains are being upgraded in Volos, as agreed with Spanish contractor CAF.
The prime minister’s full statement after alighting:
“Our government has made upgrading public transport in the capital a top policy priority. A short while ago, I had the opportunity to travel on the first refurbished train on Line 1, the old Electric Railway.
I don’t think there’s any point in sugar-coating things here, Minister. The truth is that Line 1 is currently in a very poor state because its trains are extremely old. But that is changing.
Over the next year, we will take delivery of 14 fully refurbished, new trainsets that are accessible, air-conditioned, clean and comfortable, with dedicated spaces for fellow citizens with disabilities.
And this is just one of the many steps we are taking to support public transport in the capital. The main goal we have set with the minister is not simply to have better, newer, refurbished trains, but also to reduce headways, so that more and more people can make the best possible use of rail-based transport.
Add to that the large number of new buses already in service across the capital’s network, with shorter intervals between services there too, and you can see that this investment is beginning to bear fruit.
We cannot talk about tackling the capital’s traffic problem without providing meaningful support for public transport. Here, on the Electric Railway, on Line 1, a very important first step has already been taken, and more will follow.”
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Giorgos Kotsiras said:
“Today we had the opportunity to welcome Prime Minister Mr Mitsotakis aboard the first newly refurbished train to enter service on Line 1 of ISAP. The remaining 13 refurbished trains will follow in the coming period, bringing a new environment to urban public transport.
We will be able to improve the reliability and quality of travel for the public. Our aim is to reduce journey times, provide better services and make travel easier for every Greek citizen. The intervals between services across the network — on Lines 1, 2 and 3 — are already getting shorter.
Our aim, with better trains, better services and more staff, Mr President, is to strengthen this effort, because it concerns every Greek citizen. Our aim is to make people’s everyday lives even better.
We welcome you and thank you for all the work you have done over the years to ensure we have more trains, more staff and better services for Greek citizens. That is what we will continue to do in the period ahead.”