Public transport to become cheaper

Public transport is set to become cheaper starting on September 1, Transport Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis announced on Monday.

According to Chrysochoidis, the monthly unlimited travel card, valid on all public transport, was expected to reach 30 euros (15 euros reduced) from 45 euros previously, while one-way tickets currently set at 1.4 euros were expected to go down to 1.2 euros. Tickets will be valid for 70 minutes after validation, as opposed to the one-and-a-half hour limit in operation today.

Meanwhile, a 20-euro monthly card valid for blue buses and trolley buses was to be replaced by the 30-euro card.

Speaking on Monday Chrisochoidis noted that higher public transport ticket prices had been part of Greece’s obligations vis a vis the troika as part of the country's bailout program, but that the government had decided to make changes to the public transport system and its pricing policy.

The minister further noted that metal bars were expected to be placed on buses in an effort to reduce incidents of commuters traveling without tickets.

In the meantime, the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) was expected to launch a mobile phone application for ticket purchasing.