The commute at Athens’ central metro hub, Syntagma station, has become a daily ordeal for passengers facing overcrowded platforms, malfunctioning trains, and delays caused by aging infrastructure.
Posts emphasized caution for passengers, highlighting that this has been a recurring issue as of lately. They also go on to question if people have to continue being fearful and insecure about the public transportation in Athens.
@el_exis ⚠️ΠΡΟΣΟΧΗ⚠️ Αυξάνουν αυτά τα περιστατικά στο μετρό καθημερινά. Θα συνεχιστεί ή θα συνεχίσουμε να χρησιμοποιούμε τα μμμ με φόβο και ανασφάλεια;;; 🤷🏻♀️ #μετρο #συνταγμα #athensmetro #syntagma #τρενο ♬ STARTAFIGHT – Joey Valence & Brae
A combination of reduced services, understaffed operations, and poorly maintained trains has turned travel, particularly during peak hours, into a suffocating and potentially unsafe experience.
Passengers report being packed tightly on escalators, platforms, and trains, with social media posts capturing long queues and anxious tourists overwhelmed by the crowded conditions. One tourist even asked locals whether this was a normal situation at the station—a question that should be comically absurd, but in reality actually quite valid.
Earlier in the week, on the blue line towards Doukissis Plakentias and the airport, when the delays started, passengers estimated time of arrival would double, due to 10-15 minutes pauses in each station with closed train lights and no air condition. Some passengers could no longer tolerate the crowd and chose to leave, while others had to rush to catch a taxi, bus, or continue on foot to reach their destinations.
While frustration was evident amongst passengers, in some cases, there was a level of bonding between people as passengers started talking to each other to vent their irritation or share ironic jokes about the situation. Strangers would then part ways at their respective stops, exchanging farewells and “good luck” wishes as they continued their journeys.
Infrastructure Problems and Safety Concerns
For the past three years, cracks and wear on the metro’s tracks have forced trains to operate at reduced speeds. Combined with an insufficient number of drivers and limited maintenance of the rolling stock, this has made regular travel slow and unpredictable.
Early Monday morning, hundreds of commuters found themselves effectively trapped on the platform at Syntagma station, heading toward the airport. The congestion occurred where Metro Line 2 (Red) merges with Line 3 (Blue) toward Doukissis Plakentias. Station management had to temporarily activate safety protocols, halting the downward escalator to prevent accidents caused by overcrowding.
People rushed to social media to post the overcrowding on their personal platforms. With some writing, “Kali Evdomada Eipame?”, using a common sarcastic phrase in the Greek culture, referring to a tough morning where everything has started off, simply in the most wrong way.
@kyr_giorgis Εσείς πόσες Παναγίες μάθατε σήμερα; 😂 #αθηνα #μετρο #συνταγμα #δευτερα #μπες ♬ πρωτότυπος ήχος – kyr_giorgis
Even though train frequencies remained unchanged, the sheer volume of passengers led to extended waits on the platform as commuters queued to board. The safety protocol specifically targets the downward escalator in such circumstances, aiming to minimize risk and protect passengers from injury.
A Daily Struggle for Commuters
Passengers continue to criticize the Athens Metro for failing to provide sufficient services, especially during the morning rush. Many highlight that the combination of infrastructure issues and staffing shortages is making it nearly impossible to reach destinations on time and under reasonable conditions.
