A major problem is emerging ahead of the new school year in Thessaloniki, where the transportation of 16,500 students, including 1,300 students with disabilities, remains uncertain, according to Vice Governor of the Metropolitan Region of Thesssaloni Kostas Gioutikas.
Gioutikas described the issue as a “deeply social” problem and said it affects Thessaloniki alone. In the other regional units of Central Macedonia — Kilkis, Serres, Pieria, Imathia, Pella and Halkidiki — bus operators have already taken on the student transportation routes.
Two sides of the problem
Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Gioutikas said the issue involves two main sides: the bus operators, who currently carry out nearly 80% of the student transportation work in Thessaloniki, and the state.
The Central Macedonia regional authority has launched three tenders for the routes. The first two were unsuccessful, while in the latest tender, held in August, only the regional bus companies known as KTEL submitted bids.
They sought to take on just 41 of the 470 available routes, covering roughly 8% to 9% of the total.
The vice governor said the issue was also raised during a meeting between business and local government representatives and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall.
According to Gioutikas, two amendments were formally requested from the Interior Ministry. He said officials believe the changes could provide solutions “even at the last minute.”
Concerns over the start of the school year
Gioutikas stressed that transportation to school is a right and “not an issue for bargaining or negotiations.”
He urged bus operators to consider the scale of the problem that could arise if no solution is found, warning that schools could potentially be unable to open as scheduled on Sept. 11 because of the inability to transport 16,500 students.
The concern is particularly significant for the 1,300 students with disabilities who rely on transportation services.
Opposition representatives also raised questions about the issue during the meeting of the Central Macedonia Regional Council.
Christos Papastergiou, head of the “Actions for Macedonia” faction, submitted questions on the matter.
Sotiris Avramopoulos of the “People’s Rally” proposed establishing a permanent organization with its own staff and buses to meet student transportation needs, arguing that otherwise the problem would continue to return.
Yannis Mylopoulos of the “Change in the Central Macedonia Region” faction asked whether the regional authority had facilitated dialogue between private operators and the state.
No solution yet
Gioutikas said a videoconference with the relevant ministries was held after Easter to discuss the demands of the bus operators’ federation, but no agreement was reached.
In June, the state responded to some of the operators’ requests by granting a small increase. That prompted KTEL to participate in the latest tender, but the companies ultimately bid for only 41 of the 470 routes.
Gioutikas said he expects a solution to be found, noting that two weeks remain before the start of the school year.
