Thessaloniki’s metro system has temporarily suspended all operations from November 10 to December 10, as authorities carry out complex testing ahead of the long-awaited Kalamaria extension.
The closure, though inconvenient for commuters, is described by officials as “a necessary step” to ensure the safety and reliability of the city’s new, fully automated network — the first of its kind in Greece.
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, normal metro service will resume gradually from December 11, with the full schedule — and an extended operating timetable — in place by December 21, 2025.
Holders of monthly, quarterly, or six-month travel cards will receive automatic extensions to compensate for the downtime.
Why the Closure Is Necessary
Deputy Infrastructure Minister Nikos Tachiaos emphasized that the temporary shutdown “could not be avoided” and is required to complete a full certification process of both the trains and the 5G-controlled automated systems.
“The Thessaloniki Metro operates entirely without drivers, using an advanced central control system,” Tachiaos explained. “Every phase of testing must be completed to guarantee safety. This interruption marks progress — not delay — as it confirms the project is entering its final stage.”
Unlike the Athens Metro, Thessaloniki’s line features complex driverless technology and independent subsystems that must now be synchronized with the new Kalamaria branch. The upcoming extension adds 15 new high-tech trains to the current fleet of 18, allowing intervals as short as 90 seconds during rush hour.
Replacement Bus Services and Expanded Routes
To offset the impact of the closure, authorities have launched new temporary bus lines and boosted the frequency of existing ones.
- Line M1 (Nea Elvetia – New Railway Station):
Follows the metro route with service every 7–10 minutes, operating daily from 05:00 to 00:30, and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. - Line 58M (Panorama – Nea Elvetia):
A new connector serving 52 stops, linking the city’s eastern suburbs directly to the metro transfer hub.
Meanwhile, heavily used routes such as 3K (IKEA–Railway Station), 31 (Voulgari–KTEL), and 39 (Kifisia–Courts) are being reinforced to reduce waiting times to 8–10 minutes.
The OASTH fleet has been strengthened with 325 additional buses, while Ktel Thessalonikis contributes another 182, bringing the total number of vehicles to more than 500 during the metro’s downtime.
Next Steps: Advanced Testing and Safety Certification
This phase of testing involves integrating surveillance, control, and signaling systems between the main line and the Kalamaria extension. Once completed, engineers will move to the Dynamic Rolling Stock Tests, evaluating new trains and subsystems during nighttime runs.
A second, shorter shutdown is planned for early 2026, just before the extension’s official launch. That phase will include final integration trials and safety certification by international auditor TÜV Rheinland.
The final stage will also see THEMA, the metro’s operating company, conduct “trial runs” simulating both normal and emergency scenarios before full passenger operations begin.
A Step Toward Safer, Smarter Transit
As testing continues, officials stress that every interruption serves a single goal: a safe, reliable, and modern metro for Greece’s second-largest city.
“We will deliver the Thessaloniki Metro only when it is completely safe and fully operational,” Tachiaos stated in Parliament. “This temporary inconvenience ensures that the system the public receives meets the highest international standards.”
