The Greek government is considering a major shift in public transportation for the greater Athens area, with plans to pilot a 24-hour operation of metro, tram, and bus services. The initiative, announced Monday, June 9, is expected to begin as early as July — starting with Saturday nights.
The announcement was made by the Deputy Minister of Transport Konstantinos Kyranakis, who stated during a television interview that the proposed measure aims to enhance road safety by reducing late-night traffic accidents, particularly on weekends.
“There is an intention to introduce this as a measure to reduce road accidents and fatalities during weekend nights,” Kyranakis said, emphasizing the public safety motivation behind the trial.
Pilot Program to Begin in July
According to the minister, one Saturday in July will be selected to test the 24-hour operation across multiple modes of public transit — including the metro, tram, and buses — to evaluate how the system performs under real-world conditions. The specific date for the pilot run has not yet been confirmed.
If successful, the initiative could pave the way for more regular overnight service on weekends, marking a significant shift in how Athenians move around the city after dark. Currently, metro services in Athens typically end before midnight, with limited night bus routes covering specific areas.
