Thessaloniki Metro

Thessaloniki Metro
Overview
Native nameΜετρό Θεσσαλονίκης
OwnerElliniko Metro S.A.
LocaleThessaloniki, Greece
Transit typeRapid transit
Number of lines2
Number of stations18 (26 planned)
Daily ridership678,000 (projected)
Annual ridership116.8 million (projected)
WebsiteElliniko Metro page
Operation
Operation will start
Operator(s)Thessaloniki Metro Automatic (THEMA)
Infrastructure manager(s)
CharacterUnderground
Number of vehicles33 Hitachi Rail Italy Driverless Metro[2]
Headway90 seconds[2]
Technical
System length14.28 km (8.87 mi)[3][4]
31.6 km (19.6 mi) when complete[5][3][4][6]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail[2]
Top speed90 km/h (56 mph)[2]

The Thessaloniki Metro (Greek: Μετρό Θεσσαλονίκης, Metró Thessaloníkis, [meˈtro θesaloˈnicis]) is an underground rapid-transit system under construction in Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city. The system is fully-automated and driverless, the first system of its kind in Greece, and is operated by Thessaloniki Metro Automatic (THEMA), a Franco-Italian consortium.

Estimates for the cost of the megaproject are at 3 billion ($3.24 billion), including €600 million ($649 million) in future interest payments. The project is primarily funded with loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as well as funds from the Greek government. Construction by a Greco-Italian consortium is overseen by Elliniko Metro, the Greek state-owned company which oversaw construction of the Athens Metro and Athens Tram.

Proposed during the 1910s and first seriously planned in the 1980s, construction of the main line began in 2006 and on the Kalamaria extension in 2013. The system under construction has 18 stations and 14.4 km (8.9 mi) of tunnels. After years of delays, due to archaeological discoveries and the Greek financial crisis, the main line is scheduled to open on 30 November 2024.

  1. ^ "Κλείδωσε η διαχείριση του Μετρό Θεσσαλονίκης στο σχήμα ATM-EGIS" [Management of the Thessaloniki Metro by ATM-EGIS has been confirmed]. www.ypodomes.gr. 8 July 2023. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Technical Description (PDF), Attiko Metro S.A., 1 December 2014, archived from the original (PDF) on 11 September 2018
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Istoriko was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Attiko Metro S.A. "Extension to Kalamaria". www.ametro.gr. Archived from the original on 19 September 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  5. ^ Elliniko Metro S.A. "Extensions". www.ametro.gr. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018. To this end, ELLINIKO METRO S.A. is designing and suggesting a solution combining both individual extensions into a circular line of a unified form.
  6. ^ "ΑΤΤΙΚΟ ΜΕΤΡΟ: "Το Μέτρο στη πόλη μας" με το πρώτο του βαγόνι. Συμμετοχή της Αττικό Μετρό Α.Ε. στην 83η Δ.Ε.Θ." [Attiko Metro: "The Metro in our city" with the first carriage. The participation of Attiko Metro S.A. at the 83rd Thessaloniki International Fair]. www.ametro.gr (in Greek). Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  7. ^ "Thessaloniki Metro: 44 stations by 2040". Gazzetta (in Greek). Athens: Liquid Media. 20 May 2024. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.