Christos Staikouras spoke from one of the Thessaloniki Metro stations on Friday morning. The station will start operating in a few days.
Speaking to ANT1, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport said that the ticket will cost 0.60 euros, the same as the bus, and will be valid for 70 minutes. The route from one end of the line to the other will take 17 minutes.
Staikouras also noted that the Thessaloniki Metro can serve 254,000 passengers daily.
Regarding safety, he pointed out that "the systems that exist in the Thessaloniki Metro reduce the number of accidents, as the tunnel is isolated from the platform in case of emergency, while there are doors that open only when the Metro train arrives."
The minister also noted that checks are being carried out and will continue until the metro starts operating, stating that all stations will be given to the public.
"It will be free to use at least for the first day of its operation. We will see with the Prime Minister exactly how long it will be free," said Staikouras.
"There is reasonable suspicion in the city because of the time it took to complete and deliver the project," he continued, adding that "by the end of 2025 we will provide another five stations, in the extension to Kalamaria."
Referring to city buses, Christos Staikouras said that "in Thessaloniki, 50% of the bus fleet has been renewed. We have also significantly increased revenues, as controls for ticket evasion have increased."
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