Athens Urban Transport Organization

The previous government's social policy with regard to public transport has created a gaping hole in the revenues of the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA).

According to reports, the shortfall came about because of the free transport offered by the SYRIZA-led government to metro commuters in 2015, when capital controls were introduced.

As part of the government's effort to revamp the capital's mass transport services, around 30 employees of the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) who had been transferred to the offices of MPs and political parties will be put back behind the wheel, according to a decision by Deputy Transport Minister Yiannis Kefaloyiannis.

A significant proportion of ticket machines at metro and tram stations across the capital have stopped functioning over the past week, apparently because of the high temperatures.

The machines generally malfunctioned while trying to issue paper tickets and not during the renewal of existing electronic tickets.

The gradual activation of electronic barriers at the capital's metro stations which began in the second half of 2018 has led to a significant rise in revenue, according to the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA).
OASA said that revenues were up 19.4 percent in January compared to the previous month and by 22 percent in February.

In a bid to curb a spate of public transport attacks and vandalism over the past few months, the Greek Police (ELAS) is to position officers at bus stops where vehicles have been targeted as well as beefing up security at metro stations in the capital and even intervening in instances of ticket inspectors facing harassment.

Three years after the introduction of the capital's first smart bus and trolley stops, with electronic screens informing commuters about arrival times, transport authorities have obtained the software that will provide passengers with the same information on their smartphones, Kathimerini understands.

The ministries of Citizens' Protection and Transport have signed an agreement to boost security on the Greek capital's public transportation system by assigning officers of the Greek Police (ELAS) to guard duty in exchange for free transport.

In response to the increasing number of commuter complaints over the new electronic ticketing system for public transport in the capital, the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) has decided to commission a study in a bid to help improve the situation.

A legislative amendment voted through Parliament on Wednesday night paves the way for private firms to operate buses on routes serviced by public transport networks in Athens and Thessaloniki, prompting protests by workers.

A legislative amendment voted through Parliament last night paves the way for private firms to operate buses on routes serviced by public transport networks in Athens and Thessaloniki, prompting protests by workers.