Experts demand Athens traffic overhaul

Athens' 45-year-old road space rationing system (daktylios), which limits entry to the center based on whether license plates end with an odd or even number, is now seen as a major contributor to the city's worsening traffic congestion, with experts calling for a comprehensive review. 

As part of a broader plan to tackle the capital's traffic woes, the outdated system has come under scrutiny for exacerbating the problem rather than offering solutions. 

Thanos Vlastos, an urban planner and professor, argues that Athens was never designed to accommodate today's traffic volumes. He highlights the city's inadequate infrastructure, including narrow roads and insufficient public transport, which leaves residents dependent on private vehicles. Vlastos proposes reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h, increasing public transport options, and investing in bike infrastructure to...