Athens Metro

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Athens Metro
Attiko Metro roundel
Black & White Train with green stripe
Athens Metro train (3rd generation stock)
Overview
Native nameΜετρό Αθήνας
OwnerAttiko Metro S.A.
LocaleGreater Athens and East Attica
Transit typeRapid transit
Number of lines3 (1 under construction)
Number of stations64 (18 under construction)
Daily ridership1,353,000[1]
Annual ridership493,800,000 (2013)
WebsiteSTASY S.A.
Operation
Began operation27 February 1869; 153 years ago (1869)
Operator(s)Statheres Sygkoinonies (Stasy) S.A.
Number of vehicles294 railcars
Technical
System length25.6 km (15.9 mi) (Line 1)[2]
62.9 km (39.1 mi) (Lines 2 & 3)[1]
88.5 km (55.0 mi) (Total; includes 20.7 km (12.9 mi) of mixed use suburban rail[1])
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification
Top speed80 km/h (50 mph)
System map including Proastiakos services

Public transport map of Athens.png

The Athens Metro (Greek: Μετρό Αθήνας, Metró Athínas) is a rapid-transit system in Greece which serves the Athens urban area and parts of East Attica. Line 1 opened as a conventional steam railway in 1869 and electrified in 1904. In 1991, Attiko Metro S.A. constructed and extended Lines 2 and 3.[3] It has significantly changed Athens by providing a much-needed solution to the city's traffic and air pollution problem, as well as revitalising many of the areas it serves. An extension of Line 3 is under construction towards Piraeus and also other extensions of existing lines, as well as a new Line 4, whose central section began construction in October 2021. The Athens Metro is actively connected with the other means of public transport, such as buses, trolleys, the Athens Tram and the Proastiakos Athens suburban railway. The Athens Metro is hailed for its modernity (mainly the newer lines 2, 3) and many of its stations feature works of art, exhibitions and displays of the archeological remains found during its construction. Photography and video-taking is permitted across the whole network[4] and street photographers often work in Athens Metro. This is the only metro system in Greece, until the Thessaloniki Metro begins operation in 2023.

History[]

Piraeus-Kifissia Railway[]

Until 28 January 2000, Line 1 was the only rapid-transit line in Athens. The Athens and Piraeus Railway Company (SAP) opened a steam single-track mixed cargo and passenger railway line on 27 February 1869 and was run between Piraeus and Thiseio. It was electrified in 1904. On 4 February 1885 Lavrion Square-Strofyli steam narrow gauge single-track mixed cargo and passenger railway line opened and was run at the time from Attiki Square to Kifissia through Iraklio. These originally mixed cargo and passenger railway lines gradually merged and converted to a rapid-transit system. The section between Kifissia and Strofyli was abandoned.

From 1869 to 1926 the line was operated by SAP. From 1926 to 1976 the line was operated by Hellenic Electric Railways (EIS). In 1976 the EIS was nationalized and renamed Athens-Piraeus Electric Railway Company (ISAP), which continued to operate what became line 1 of the Athens Metro until 16 June 2011.[5]

1990s projects[]

Since the current Line 1 opened, the government has proposed many expansions to the subway network, including a 1963 plan for a fourteen-line subway network.[6] Construction of Lines 2 and 3 began in November 1992 to decrease traffic congestion and improve Athens' air quality by reducing its smog level.[3] Both lines were constructed underground. Lines 2 and 3, built by Attiko Metro S.A. and operated until 2011 by Attiko Metro Operations Company, are known respectively as the red and blue lines and were inaugurated in January 2000. Line 3 was extended to the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in summer 2004, and Line 2 was extended to Anthoupoli and Helliniko in 2013.

Consolidation[]

Until 17 June 2011,[5] the operational management of the Athens Metro network was similar to that of the London Underground network before the creation of the London Passenger Transport Board and the absorption of the Metropolitan Railway on 1 July 1933. The Greek government attempted to absorb ISAP into Attiko Metro under Law 2669/1998 so the latter would be responsible for the whole network,[7] but this initiative failed.[why?] Athens Metro operations were consolidated when the Greek government enacted Law 3920/2011,[8] replacing AMEL, ISAP and Tram S.A. with Urban Rail Transport S.A. (STASY S.A.) (Greek: ΣΤΑΣΥ Α.Ε.), a subsidiary of OASA S.A. (Athens Urban Transport Organisation S.A.).[9]

Infrastructure[]

Lines and stations[]

Main article: List of Athens Metro stations

The three-line Athens Metro network serves 67 stations. It owns and operates 57 of them, and OSE owns the remainder on the airport section. The network has four metro interchanges, enabling the lines to interchange with each other at least once. Each line also has at least one station connecting with the Proastiakos Suburban Railway and Athens Tram.

Athens Metro lines
Line Map colour[a][10] First section
opened 		Elec. Latest section
opened 		Latest station opened Route Length (km, mi) Sta.
Athens Metro Line 1.svg Green February 27, 1869 1904 August 10, 1957 August 6, 2004
(Nerantziotissa) 		Piraeus – Kifisia 25.6 km (15.9 mi)[2] 24
Athens Metro Line 2.svg Red January 28, 2000 2000 July 26, 2013 July 26, 2013
(Ilioupoli-Elliniko section)[12] 		Anthoupoli – Elliniko 17.9 km (11.1 mi) 20
Athens Metro Line 3.svg Light Blue[b] January 28, 2000 2000 July 7, 2020 July 7, 2020
(Agia Varvara, Korydallos, Nikaia) 		Nikaia – Airport 18.1 km (11.2 mi) / 39 km (24.2 mi) 24
Total 82.5 km (51.3 mi) 64[c]
System map (2013)
The west entrance to Athens Metro line 1 Victoria station.
Main article: Line 1 (Athens Metro)

Line 1 is 25.6-kilometre (15.9 mi) long,[2] and serves 24 stations. Line 2 is 17.9 kilometres (11.1 mi) long and serves 20 stations and line 3 is 41 kilometres (25 mi) long (including 20.7 kilometres (12.9 mi) of suburban rail line from Doukissis Plakentias station to the Airport on Line 3), and serves 24 stations.[1][13]

Main articles: Line 2 (Athens Metro) and Line 3 (Athens Metro)

Line 2 and the Attiko Metro portion of Line 3 are entirely underground. Line 1 is primarily overground, with a tunnel section in central Athens. The airport section of Line 3, east of the tunnel portal near Doukissis Plakentias, is open. In the tunnel sections up and down lines share a common tunnel, except for approaches to stations with an island platform (such as Egaleo).

The Athens Metro's three lines carried approximately 1,353,000 passengers daily in 2010.[1]

The overall length of the green, red and blue lines is approximately 74 kilometres (46 mi).[needs update] There are rail connections between Lines 1 and 2 near Attiki and between Lines 2 and 3 near Syntagma. Train maintenance facilities are located at Attiki, Faliro, Irini, Piraeus, Kifissia and Thissio for Line 1, and Doukissis Plakentias, Eleonas and Sepolia for Lines 2 and 3.

Rolling stock[]

See also: Athens Metro rolling stock

The network uses standard gauge electric trains which in most places run on 750 V DC third rail, but the section of Line 3 running to the airport requires trains which can use overhead lines of 25 kV AC, 50 Hz.

The Athens Metro classifies rolling stock by "batch" for Line 1 and "generation" for Lines 2 and 3 because ISAP and AMEL used different classification systems for rolling stock before consolidation. Six types of rolling stock operate on the network, all equipped with third rail current collection systems; however, only seven second-generation trains have the necessary overhead line equipment to serve Line 3 from Doukissis Plakentias to Airport.

The eighth batch (introduced in 1983) is the oldest rolling stock in passenger service, while the third generation (introduced in 2013) is the latest rolling stock in passenger service. The eighth- and tenth-batch stock is externally similar, but the former has split-flap headsigns in Johnston typeface and a cream-and-green interior colour scheme. An extensive refurbishment programme is planned for the 8th batch, and to cover for trains undergoing refurbishment, up to five 1st generation Line 2/3 trains have been borrowed to operate on Line 1. Line 1 halfsets have driving cabs at both ends, unlike the Line 2/3 halfsets which have a driving cab at the outer ends, but only basic driving apparatus for shunting purposes only at the inner ends; thus, they can only operate on their own inside depots.

Line Stock Image Introduced
Athens Metro Line 1.svg 8th-batch stock Square grey-and-red train pulling into a station 1983
Athens Metro Line 1.svg 10th-batch stock Same type of train passing evergreen trees 1993
Athens Metro Line 1.svg 11th-batch stock 20070523-NERATZIOTISA.jpg 2000
Athens Metro Line 1.svg Athens Metro Line 2.svg Athens Metro Line 3.svg 1st-generation stock Same type of train passing line of parked cars 2000
Athens Metro Line 2.svg Athens Metro Line 3.svg 2nd-generation stock Subway train in station 2003 & 2004
Athens Metro Line 2.svg Athens Metro Line 3.svg 3rd-generation stock 20140622-Anthoupoli-62D304 (7872).jpg 2014
  • First series (delivery): 28 six-car electric multiple units made by Alstom–Siemens–Adtranz (2000); maximum speed 80 km/h[14]
  • Second series (delivery): 21 six-car EMU made by Hanwha-Rotem-Mitsubishi.(2004).[15] Seven of these trains can also operate on OSE lines with 25 kV AC −50 Hz overhead electrification system and are used for airport service. All second-series trains are air-conditioned. Maximum speed 80 km/h
  • Third series: Athens Metro ordered 17 additional trains made by Hyundai Rotem.
  • Four service hybrid locomotives made by Kaelble-Gmeinder-Siemens. They can operate from a third-rail 750 V DC system or their own diesel generators. They have a B-B configuration, with a maximum power of 550 kW under diesel traction and 600 kW under electric traction.[16]
  • One road-rail Unimog
Batch Year Configuration Type Numbering Description
1st 2000 DT-M-MD+MD-M-DT DT A01-A56 56 EMU-3 halfsets operating as 28 EMU-6 trains. Made by Alstom–Siemens–Adtranz . MD railcars have an auxiliary driving facility used only for shunting.
M B01-B56
MD C01-C56
2nd
(DC) 		2003–2004 D-T-M+M-T-D D D201-D228 28 EMU-3 halfsets operating as 14 EMU-6 trains. Made by Hanwha-Rotem-Mitsubishi.
T T201-T228
M M201-M228
2nd
(DC/AC) 		2003–2004 D-T-M+M-T-D D D251-D264 14 EMU-3 halfsets operating as 7 EMU-6 trains. Made by Hanwha-Rotem-Mitsubishi, can also operate on 25 kV AC, 50 Hz lines.
T T251-T264
M M251-M264
3rd 2012–2013 D-T-M+M-T-D D D301-D334 A contract for 17 air conditioned EMU-6 trains was signed on 2009-09-16 with Hyundai Rotem.[17] 34 EMU-3 halfsets entered service as 17 EMU-6 trains in June 2014.
T T301-T334
M M301-M334

Railcar codes: DM: driving motor car, DT: driving trailer, M: motor car, T: trailer, MD: motor car with auxiliary driving facility.

Signalling[]

Main article: Greek railway signalling → Athens Metro signalling

Line 1 uses two-aspect red/green home signals, yellow/green distant signals and a passenger information system (PIS). The current system replaced 1950s-era semaphore signals.

Lines 2 and 3 use the Alstom automatic train supervision system (ATS) and a passenger information system (PIS). Two-aspect red/white colour signals are used at points and junctions only.

Network map[]

Fares[]

Old 1.20€ (standard fee) paper Ticket, in use from September 2014 until November 2017.

Fares are prepaid, either as short term tickets valid for 90 minutes, 24 hours, 5 days, or as long term tickets. As of September 2020, there are two types of fare products, the ATH.ENA Ticket and ATH.ENA Card, both of which are validated using a contactless system (by scanning the ticket or card at the electronic validating machines). The tickets is valid on all modes of public transport in Athens except on trains and buses to the airport.[18] Long term tickets are available in 30, 90, 180, and 365 day periods and are available only with a personalized ATH.ENA Card. Reduced fares are available for university students, seniors, disabled and persons under 18.[19] On buses and trams the ticket or card must be validated only when entering the vehicle/car by scanning the ticket at the electronic validating machines. At metro or suburban railway stations, the ticket or card must be validated at the electronic gates when entering and exiting the station.

Archaeological excavations and exhibits[]

See also: Syntagma Metro Station Archaeological Collection

During construction of the metro tunnels, artifacts of archaeological interest were discovered and rescue archaeology was employed. Teams of archaeologists worked ahead of, then with, engineers for six years, protecting and recording archaeological finds (streets, houses, cemeteries, sanctuaries, public workshops, foundry pits, kilns, aqueducts, wells, cisterns, drains and sewage tunnels). This afforded new insight into the city's ancient topography, through unprecedented infrastructure development combined with the study and preservation of archaeological data. Exhibitions of ancient artifacts or replicas are found at a number of metro stations, including Monastiraki and Syntagma.

Current contactless ATH.ENA Ticket, which is in use since February 2017.
Open indoor area with ticket windows, fare-collection machines and an escalator
Concourse level of Syntagma Metro station (2018).

Future Plans[]

Line 4[]

Main article: Line 4 (Athens Metro)

A fourth line is planned for the Athens Metro and it has been incorporated in the roadmap of Athens's mass transit system since 2005. The new line in its totality will extend over a length of 38.2 km, adding thirty five (35) new stations to the Athens Metro system. The cost of the entire project is estimated at 3.3 billion EUR.[20] The recommendation is for lighter rolling stock than the type used in existing lines of Athens Metro which would operate automatically without a driver. In November 2020, Alstom was chosen to supply the line with 20 4-car automated Metropolis trains, operated under Urbalis 400 signalling system.[21]

The first phase of Line 4 will be between Alsos Veikou and Goudi stations, predicting fifteen (15) new stations and a length of 12.8 km of new track. An invitation to tender for the construction of the first phase of Line 4 was issued in September 2018. The construction is expected to start by mid-2020 and the opening of the line by circa 2028. The estimated cost for constructing the first phase of the new line is 1.51 billion EUR. Currently, the project of the first phase is considered to follow a PPP scheme which might be extended for constructing the whole new line. An alternative solution is a mixed funding between the EIB and the Greek State. It is also a high-profile candidate project to be included in the Juncker Plan of EU that will include also the second phase of Line 4 of Athens Metro.

Other Lines[]

A masterplan of 8 lines, known as the Souflias plan was published in 2009.[22] The plan was later abandoned. In 2020, Attiko Metro announced that they have revived the plan for lines 6 and 7, but nothing was stated about line 8.

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ As of October 2012, none of the organisations behind the construction or operation of the Athens Metro specify the exact line colour values for web or print, but they agree on a general colour scheme for identifying lines.[10][11]
  2. ^ Dark blue on signage.
  3. ^ Discrepancies between these figures are explained by interchange stations. If interchange stations are counted once for each line they serve, there would be 68 stations.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Homepage - The Company - Attiko Metro S.A." Attiko Metro S.A. Archived from the original on 3 December 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Homepage - The Company - Historic Data - Transit in Athens". Attiko Metro S.A. Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  3. ^ a b "AttikoMetro Inside – Base Project". Attiko Metro S.A. 9 September 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  4. ^ "synigoros.gr" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Urban Rail Transport SA (STASY SA): Urban Rail Transport S.A". Urban Rail Transport S.A. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  6. ^ Hekimoglou, Achilleas (24 August 2013). Οραμα για 14 γραμμές Μετρό στην Αττική από το 2000 (in Greek). Το Βήμα (To Vima). Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  7. ^ "Law 2669/1998". Εφημερίδας της Κυβερνήσεως (in Greek). Athens: Government of Greece. A (283). 18 December 1998. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  8. ^ Law 3920, Government Gazette issue A-33, 3 March 2011.
  9. ^ Ministerial Decision 28737/2637, Government Gazette issue B-1454, 17 June 2011
  10. ^ a b "Athens Metro Regulatory Plan" (PDF). Attiko Metro S.A. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  11. ^ "Athens Public Transportation Map". Athens Urban Transport Organisation. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  12. ^ "Urban rail news in brief – May 2013". Railway Gazette International. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Homepage - Construction of the Athens Metro - Projects in Operation - Base Project". Attiko Metro S.A. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  14. ^ G. Nathenas; A. Kourbelis; T. Vlastos; S. Kourouzidis; V. Katsareas; P. Karamanis; A. Klonos; N. Kokkinos (2007). Από τα Παμφορεία στο Μετρό (in Greek). Vol. 2. Athens: Μίλητος (Militos). pp. 703–708. ISBN 978-960-8460-91-1.
  15. ^ "New Athens metro trains are ready to roll". Ekathimerini. 5 June 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  16. ^ N. Sbarounis (December 2002). "Hybrid locomotives of Athens Metropolitan Network (Greek: Υβριδικές Ηλεκτράμαξες του Μητροπολιτικού Δικτύου Αθηνών)". Sidirotrohia (Greek: Σιδηροτροχιά) (in Greek) (23): 30–31.
  17. ^ ATHENS METRO – Completion of the tender for the supply of 17 new trainsets for the Athens Metro (16/09/2009)
  18. ^ "Tickets" (PDF). OASA S.A. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  19. ^ "Travel Cards (Greek - English not available)". STASY S.A./OASA S.A. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  20. ^ "Attiko Metro Γραμμή 4 (Line 4)". Attiko Metro S.A. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Alstom consortium selected for first section of Athens Metro Line 4". Alstom. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  22. ^ "Sxedio Souflia". athenstransport.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.

External links[]

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