Athens Metro’s 24-Hour Weekend Service Skips Historic Line 1

The Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) recently announced with fanfare that, starting September 13, the city’s metro, tram, and select bus lines would operate 24 hours every Saturday, promising “all of Athens in motion.”

Following a successful trial on July 5, which included 24-hour service for the metro, tram lines T6 and T7, and certain bus routes, the initiative aims to cater to the city’s vibrant nightlife, growing tourist numbers, and the need for safer late-night travel to reduce alcohol-related traffic accidents.

However, the much-celebrated 24-hour metro service comes with a significant caveat: Line 1, the city’s oldest metro line, formerly known as ISAP (Athens-Piraeus Electric Railway), is excluded from the extended hours. This has created a two-tier system, leaving many Athenians and visitors disappointed, as Line 1 connects key areas like Piraeus, Kifissia, and central Athens.

Why Is Line 1 Left Out?

Line 1, often referred to as the “green line,” has long been distinct from the newer Lines 2 and 3. Until 2011, it operated as a separate entity before merging with Attiko Metro and Attiko Tram to form STASY (Fixed Transport S.A.). Despite the merger, Line 1 retains its unique character as a mostly above-ground railway with aging trains, inadequate air conditioning, poor cleanliness, and frequent reports of theft at stations. Its operating hours have historically differed from the rest of the metro network, opening earlier and closing slightly later but never matching the extended Friday and Saturday night services of Lines 2 and 3.

According to OASA, Line 1’s exclusion from the 24-hour service stems from its outdated infrastructure. Authorities have stated that the line will join the 24-hour schedule once new trains arrive. However, no new trains are currently expected. Instead, a delayed refurbishment project for 14 of Line 1’s trains is underway. Originally slated for completion by the end of 2025, the project has faced significant setbacks. The Spanish company CAF, responsible for the refurbishment, recently received a seven-month extension, pushing the delivery of the first refurbished train to September 5, 2025. This “prototype” train will then undergo two months of trial runs before the remaining trains are upgraded, further delaying full implementation.

Workers’ Perspective: Challenges and Support

Stamatis Giannopoulos, president of the STASY Workers’ Union, told reporters that employees, including those from the former ISAP, fully support the 24-hour operation. However, he highlighted several obstacles preventing Line 1’s inclusion. “The trains on Line 1 are so old that extending their operation would likely lead to frequent breakdowns, risking disruptions to daytime services,” Giannopoulos explained.

He also pointed to the line’s open network, which requires intensive security to prevent vandalism and theft, particularly at night. Workers are calling for increased railway police presence to ensure safe operations. Additionally, staffing shortages due to retirements and low wages exacerbate the issue. “The average age of Line 1 workers, many of whom come from the century-old ISAP, is higher than that of other metro staff,” Giannopoulos noted. While recruitment is planned, low salaries continue to drive employee turnover.

A Step Forward, but Incomplete

The 24-hour service on Lines 2 and 3 is a welcome development for Athens, a city bustling with students, tourists, and late-night revelers. It supports safer travel and aligns with long-standing demands for better public transport options. However, the exclusion of Line 1 highlights ongoing challenges with Athens’ oldest metro line, leaving commuters reliant on it without the same benefits. For now, those traveling between Piraeus and Kifissia on Saturday nights will need to seek alternative transport options, as the promise of a fully connected 24-hour metro system remains just out of reach.

(Source: In.gr)