The contract for the operation and maintenance of the first automatic metro to run in the city of Thessaloniki and to start its operation by 2024 was signed yesterday in Greece.
The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis honoured with his presence the signing ceremony. The ceremony was also attended on the part of the Greek government by the Minister of Infrastructures and Transport Mr. Staikouras and the Deputy Minister of Infrastructures & Transport responsible for infrastructures-related issues Mr. Tachiaos, as well as by the CEO of Elliniko Metro S.A. Mr. Nikolaos Kouretas, the CEO of ATM Mr. Arrigo Giana, and the CEO of Consulting & Operations of Egis Mr. Renaud Beziade.
THEMA Consortium, formed by ATM and Egis (participation percentages: 51% and 49% respectively), will be responsible for the management of the new driverless line in Thessaloniki, which will be inaugurated in the 4th quarter of year 2024.
Last June, the Italian-French consortium won an 11-year contract against an overall economic value of EURO 250 million, thus establishing itself in the international arena as a player with great competitive capacity, able to compete with other leading European companies.
ATM, a leader in public transport in Italy, counting decades of experience in Europe and the Middle East, has acquired a prominent role of excellence on the global stage in the management of automated metro systems: in 2008 in the city of Copenhagen, through Metro Service A/S, with Lines 1, 2 and later on, Lines 3 and 4 in the Cityring, in 2011 in Riyadh through the operation of the first line of the city and in 2013 in Milan through the driverless M5 metro and later on, through the M4 connecting Linate airport to the city centre.
Egis is an international player in the consulting, construction engineering and mobility services sectors. Egis is a world leader in tunnel operation, motorway and an airport transport infrastructure operator counting over 30 operation and maintenance contracts in highly complex environments. Ranking first in engineering in France, the group is an expert in the field of urban guided transport and rail transport engineering, bringing together all disciplines: systems, automation, rolling stock, equipment safety, civil engineering, environment.
The new metro is the most modern public project ever constructed in the Hellenic Republic and the only driverless system ever built, serving the second largest Greek city by population, with over one million inhabitants. The entire Metro system will be approximately 20 km long after its extension to the Airport, and it will become the main hub for inner city travels and a strategic point for connections with the rest of the country.
Thessaloniki Metro
The first line will cross the entire city on its east-west axis with 13 stations from Nea Elvetia terminal station to Thessaloniki Railway Station terminus, an important interchange node with the railway network.
A further extension of 5 stations is planned to connect 25 Martiou Station with the south-eastern area of the city, terminating at Mikra Station.
Equipped with sophisticated control and maintenance systems, the Metro provides a daily service with 18 trains in the first phase, to be increased to 33 trains in order to ensure transportation services with the extension to Kalamaria.
The project is completed with the Depot and the state-of-the-art control and management operations room located in the area of Pylea.