Thessaloniki Metro Launch Marks Historic Urban Milestone

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Translation

Thessaloniki has a new metro system with 13 stations. It starts from the New Railway Station and extends to New Elvetia. The metro is important for the city because it reduces traffic on the roads. The initial tickets are free of charge, while the standard fare is €0.60. The Venizelou station features archaeological remains.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: How many stations does the new Thessaloniki metro have?

The new Thessaloniki metro has 13 stations.

Question 2: Where does the Thessaloniki metro start and end?

The Thessaloniki metro starts at Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos and ends at Nea Elvetia.

Exercise: Vocabulary

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▌30/11/2024

After nearly four decades of planning and eighteen years of construction, the Thessaloniki Metro, a project fraught with delays and challenges, was officially inaugurated at noon on Saturday. This long-awaited infrastructure aims to significantly alleviate the traffic congestion of the city.

The new metro system, featuring 13 stations along a 9.6-kilometre route, stretches from the Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos (New Railway Station) to Nea Elvetia. It promises to offer a much-needed public transport alternative to the city, which had become synonymous with construction sites and traffic delays.

The project faced a series of setbacks, including financial miscalculations, bankruptcies of participating firms, and lengthy legal disputes, which collectively escalated the project's cost to an astonishing €3 billion. Compounding these issues were the significant archaeological finds unearthed during construction, notably the ancient Decumanus Maximus, prompting extensive revision and debate about how to handle the city's heritage.

Among the highlights of the metro is the Venizelos Station, which has garnered attention for integrating archaeological treasures into its design. During a pre-inaugural visit held on Friday evening, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed admiration for the station's unique blend of modern and ancient, viewing it as a global exemplar of cultural integration in transport projects. They commended the teams involved in preserving these historical elements.

Thessaloniki Metro Launch Marks Historic Urban Milestone (Illustration)

The station's archaeological area, covering 1,260 square metres, showcases the preserved remnants of Thessaloniki’s past from the Hellenistic to Byzantine eras, providing commuters a captivating glimpse into the city's rich history as they traverse the site.

The launch of Thessaloniki's metro system has been met with excitement but also serves as a reminder of the prolonged inconvenience experienced by the city’s residents. The government has pledged further expansion, including an extension towards Kalamaria, expected to complete by late 2025, which will extend the line to 14.38 kilometres with 18 stations in operation.

Notably, during the first days post-launch, metro rides will be complimentary, offering residents a chance to experience the new system. Regular fares are set at €0.60. However, a fully integrated ticketing system with other public transport modes is currently unavailable, requiring separate tickets for bus travel.

This launch is a pivotal moment for Thessaloniki, marking a transformative period in its public transportation system, with the potential to markedly improve urban mobility, reduce vehicle traffic, and lower urban pollution.

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