Public transport

There will be no services on Friday on the Piraeus-Kifissia electric railway (ISAP) or the country's railways due to a strike called by the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE) on the occasion of the May Day holiday. 

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Kostas A. Karamanlis said Thursday that he is considering making the use of surgical masks on public transport mandatory when the government starts easing some of the restrictions introduced last month to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Turkey's two largest cities, Istanbul and Ankara, which yesterday came out from a 48-hour lockdown along with 29 other provinces, started the week with new measures for public transport aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

Given the 90 percent reduction in urban transport services, a growing number of commuters that had purchased long-duration bus, train and metro cards are reportedly demanding action from the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA). 

The appeals have come particularly from commuters with three-month or annual cards.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has warned that the city's elderly were still widely using the city's public transport despite warnings to stay home amid the coronavirus outbreak.

He noted that the number of elderly people — aged above 60 — who use the megacity's metro and inner-city bus networks, indeed declined by 54 percent over the past two weeks.

The number of commuters on Athens buses and the metro dropped by 50 percent last week and has fallen another 70 percent so far this week due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, according to Transport Minister Kostas A. Karamanlis.

Speaking on Open TV, he also said that intercity buses (KTEL) have reduced the number of their services.

All license plates that had been removed from vehicles - regardless of infringement - are being returned by the Thessaloniki Municipal Police, due to the complications created by the coronavirus outbreak.

Authorities said the measure is being implemented in order to prevent overcrowding on public transport but also to facilitate any necessary transport movements.

Luxembourg becomes the first country in the world where public transport will be free of charge. The measure enters into force on March 1 and aims to encourage people to give up their cars. The use of buses, trams and trains will be free of charge.

Trains and the suburban railway will not participate in a 24-hour strike of employees in public transport on Tuesday, called in protest at the government's social security bill.

The planned full-day strike in the tram, metro, ISAP railway, trolley or bus service is expected to cause major traffic in Athens.

The Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) is planning to use 600,000 euros of European Union funding to improve accessibility on the Greek capital's buses and trolley buses.

According to an announcement, the money will be used to equip 190 bus and trolley bus stops with platforms that will allow wheelchair users to board and disembark from the vehicles without assistance.