Thessaloniki Metro Launch Marks Historic Urban Milestone

The news in Greek

1. σημαντικός
   που έχει μεγάλη σημασία ή αξία ↩︎
2. μειώνω
   κάνω κάτι να έχει μικρότερο μέγεθος ή ποσότητα ↩︎
3. κίνηση (f.)
   ροή ατόμων ή οχημάτων σε έναν χώρο ↩︎
4. εισιτήριο (n.)
   χαρτί ή ηλεκτρονικό τίτλο που επιτρέπει τη μετακίνηση με μέσο μεταφοράς ↩︎
5. δωρεάν
   χωρίς να πρέπει να πληρώσει κανείς χρήματα ↩︎
6. κοστίζω
   η τιμή που απαιτείται για να αποκτηθεί κάτι ↩︎

Translation

Text Comprehension

Question: How many stations does the new Thessaloniki metro have?

Question: Where does the Thessaloniki metro start and end?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
σημαντικός	important
μειώνω	reduce
κίνηση (f.)	traffic
εισιτήριο (n.)	ticket
δωρεάν	free
κοστίζω	cost

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The new metro system, featuring 13 stations along a 9.6-kilometre route, stretches from the Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos (New Railway Station) to Nea Elvetia. It promises to offer a much-needed public transport alternative to the city, which had become synonymous with construction sites and traffic delays.

The project faced a series of setbacks, including financial miscalculations, bankruptcies of participating firms, and lengthy legal disputes, which collectively escalated the project’s cost to an astonishing €3 billion. Compounding these issues were the significant archaeological finds unearthed during construction, notably the ancient Decumanus Maximus, prompting extensive revision and debate about how to handle the city’s heritage.

Among the highlights of the metro is the Venizelos Station, which has garnered attention for integrating archaeological treasures into its design. During a pre-inaugural visit held on Friday evening, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed admiration for the station’s unique blend of modern and ancient, viewing it as a global exemplar of cultural integration in transport projects. They commended the teams involved in preserving these historical elements.

The station’s archaeological area, covering 1,260 square metres, showcases the preserved remnants of Thessaloniki’s past from the Hellenistic to Byzantine eras, providing commuters a captivating glimpse into the city’s rich history as they traverse the site.

The launch of Thessaloniki’s metro system has been met with excitement but also serves as a reminder of the prolonged inconvenience experienced by the city’s residents. The government has pledged further expansion, including an extension towards Kalamaria, expected to complete by late 2025, which will extend the line to 14.38 kilometres with 18 stations in operation.

Notably, during the first days post-launch, metro rides will be complimentary, offering residents a chance to experience the new system. Regular fares are set at €0.60. However, a fully integrated ticketing system with other public transport modes is currently unavailable, requiring separate tickets for bus travel.

This launch is a pivotal moment for Thessaloniki, marking a transformative period in its public transportation system, with the potential to markedly improve urban mobility, reduce vehicle traffic, and lower urban pollution.

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