Greece’s Deputy Transport Minister, Konstantinos Kyranakis, has announced a series of public transport and traffic initiatives, including plans to increase the frequency of trains on Athens’ urban rail network to one service every five minutes by the end of 2026.
Speaking in a radio interview, Kyranakis said the government is continuing efforts to strengthen public transportation, citing improvements in both service frequency and passenger numbers. He noted that this summer marks the first season in which the city’s new fleet of buses, equipped with modern air-conditioning systems, will be fully operational.
According to the minister, train services on Athens’ electric railway line will reach five-minute intervals by the end of the year. He also said the metro network has increased the number of available train sets from 52 to 61, while maintenance and rail replacement works are underway to upgrade infrastructure before it reaches the end of its operational lifespan.
New Rules for Electric Scooters
Kyranakis also outlined plans for stricter regulations governing electric scooters, arguing that many road accidents involving the vehicles occur in violation of existing laws.
Under the proposed measures, minors will be banned from riding electric scooters on public roads, while adults will be required to carry insurance. Rental scooter services will also be completely prohibited for underage users.
Measures to Reduce Traffic Congestion
Addressing chronic congestion in the Athens metropolitan area, the deputy minister announced that three new measures are being prepared to reduce the number of trucks on the roads. He added that an increasing number of residents are choosing public transportation over private vehicles, a trend the government hopes to accelerate through continued investment in transit services.
Wider Political Remarks
Beyond transport policy, Kyranakis commented on domestic political developments, describing criticism of the government by former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras as mistaken, while praising his overall record in office. He also called for unity within the governing party and expressed regret over the absence of former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis from a recent party conference.
On foreign policy, Kyranakis stressed the importance of maintaining military preparedness, saying Greece has strengthened its capabilities in both the air and at sea and remains a reliable ally within NATO.
He concluded by reaffirming the government’s goal of securing an outright majority in the next national election, stating that it intends to seek a renewed mandate after fulfilling its commitments to voters.
