The first fully refurbished train on Athens Metro Line 1, also known as the ISAP line, entered passenger service Wednesday, marking the start of a gradual modernization of the historic route’s aging fleet.
The launch comes 22 years after the last addition of rolling stock to Line 1. A total of 14 trains are scheduled to be fully refurbished, with the entire project expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
The first train successfully completed all required factory, technical and operational tests, as well as inspections and certifications, before entering regular service.
The second train is already undergoing static testing in Volos, central Greece, where the refurbishment project is being carried out. Four trains are currently being refurbished simultaneously at the facility.
A new era for Line 1
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Giorgos Kotsiras said the first refurbished train represents a tangible result of the government’s plan to modernize the ISAP line.
The broader plan includes renewing the rolling stock, renovating stations and improving accessibility, strengthening infrastructure and maintenance, and expanding the workforce.
“This is part of a package of interventions to upgrade public transportation in Attica, with the goal of increasing the frequency and reliability of services and providing better services to passengers,” Kotsiras said.
“Public transportation is changing. By investing in public transportation, we are investing in quality of life and a better daily experience for everyone,” he added.
STASY CEO Athanasios Kottaras said the entry into service of the first fully refurbished train marks “a new era” for the line.
“Our goal is to offer passengers a more reliable and modern Metro line, creating the conditions for more services and shorter intervals between trains,” Kottaras said.
New technology for aging trains
The trains being refurbished have operated on Line 1 since the early 1980s and have accumulated more than four decades of service.
The comprehensive refurbishment is intended to address the increased maintenance needs created by their age, as well as difficulties in sourcing replacement parts.
The result is effectively a new train built around the existing metal body. The original metal chassis is retained, while the main systems and equipment are replaced.
Old motors are being replaced with modern alternating-current motors and a new traction system. The trains are also receiving new electrical and pneumatic equipment, modern passenger information systems and upgraded safety infrastructure.
The refurbished trains are designed to remain in reliable service for at least another 25 years.
What passengers will see
The refurbishment also includes major changes to the trains’ interiors and passenger facilities.
The upgraded trains will feature:
- Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems
- New screens and modern passenger information systems
- Improved accessibility, including safer wheelchair accommodation
- New interiors, including LED lighting, seats, floors, windows and side panels
- Upgraded air-conditioning systems
More frequent and reliable services
The refurbishment of the 14 trains is expected to improve the availability and reliability of Line 1’s fleet while upgrading the overall passenger experience.
The project is also intended to support more frequent services and shorter intervals between trains on one of Athens’ most important and historic public transportation routes.
The refurbishment is being carried out in Volos by Spanish company CAF on behalf of STASY and is funded through Greece’s European Union-backed National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA).
