The Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) has launched a formal process to impose contractual penalties on the Attica Transport Consortium, following two alarming incidents involving public buses — including a dramatic runaway bus on Vouliagmenis Avenue.
Legal Proceedings Initiated After Safety Failures
OASA is seeking explanations from the operating contractor regarding the circumstances surrounding both a recent bus collision in the suburb of Voula and a separate incident involving an uncontrolled bus on Vouliagmenis Avenue. The organization has initiated the process for enforcing penalties as outlined in its public service contract and Greek public procurement law.
In an official statement, OASA emphasized that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has been informed and that the incidents are being evaluated as part of ongoing contract monitoring and compliance procedures.
“OASA remains firmly committed to passenger safety, the quality of services offered to the public, and ensuring that all contractual obligations are fully met by its service providers,” the organization stated.
150 Meters of Chaos: The Runaway Bus on Vouliagmenis Avenue
The most recent and widely publicized event occurred late Wednesday evening, when a bus operating on Route 122 (Saronida – Argyroupoli Station) rolled uncontrolled for approximately 150 meters along a side road of Vouliagmenis Avenue.
Surveillance footage shows the driver running behind the bus in an attempt to stop it, as it crashes into street furniture and other infrastructure. Fortunately, there were no passengers on board at the time, and no injuries were reported.
According to reports, the driver had exited the vehicle for a personal reason without engaging the handbrake. This critical oversight allowed the empty vehicle to veer onto the sidewalk, uprooting lamp posts and traffic signs, damaging the fencing of a building complex used by people with disabilities, and narrowly avoiding entering the main avenue.
Broader Concerns About Safety and Oversight
The runaway bus incident follows another troubling event just days earlier, when two buses collided in Voula. Together, the incidents have sparked serious concerns over driver conduct, vehicle maintenance, and broader safety protocols among Athens’ public transport providers.
OASA’s decision to trigger contractual penalties highlights its intent to hold operators accountable and to prevent further breakdowns in safety standards.
