Athens Metro

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Attiko Metro
Αττικό Μετρό
Attiko Metro Operation Company-logo.png
Info
Owner Attiko Metro S.A.
Locale Athens
Transit type Rapid transit
Number of lines 2 (not including ISAP line 1)
Number of stations 27 (lines 2 & 3)
Daily ridership 1,150,000[1]
Operation
Began operation 2000 (lines 2 & 3)
Operator(s) Attiko Metro Etaireia Leitoyrgias S.A.
Number of vehicles 86[1][2]
Technical
System length 35 km (21.75 mi) (blue)[1]
11.6 km (7.21 mi) (red)[1]
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) (standard gauge)

The Athens Metro (or, more correctly, Attic Metro) is an underground rapid transit system serving Athens. It is constructed and owned by Attiko Metro S.A. (Greek: Αττικό Μετρό Α.Ε., literally 'Attic metro') and operated by Attiko Metro Etaireia Leitourgias S.A. (Greek: Αττικό Μετρό Εταιρεία Λειτουργίας Α.Ε.).

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Blue and Red lines

Construction of Metro Lines 2 and 3 began in November 1991 to decrease traffic congestion and clean up the environment by reducing Athens' smog level. Lines 2 and 3, constructed by Attiko Metro S.A. and operated by Attiko Metro Operations Company S.A. and known as red and blue lines respectively, were inaugurated in January 2000 and as of 2009 have 27 stations between them, not counting the OSE stations on the Airport line. Line 3 reached the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in summer 2004 and Egaleo in May 2007. All three Metro lines connect with Proastiakos, the Athens Suburban Railway and the tram system. The length of the blue line (line 3) as of April 2008 is 16.4 km[3] not including the suburban railway part to the airport, or as of February 2008 around 39.6 km including the 21.2 km of the line that it shares with the suburban railway system of Athens. The length of the red line (line 2) as of February 2008 is around 11.5 km[citation needed] or 10.9 km[3] as of April 2008. This brings the overall length of the green, red and blue lines to approximately 77 km.

An automatic train supervision system (ATS) and a passenger information system (PIS) maded by Alstom cover the whole network.

[edit] Ticketing policy

Tickets are purchased for single journeys and are valid for 90 minutes after it has been validated and can be used on the network (lines 1, 2 and 3), as well as in most other means of public transport in Athens including buses, trolleybuses, trams, and the urban part of the suburban railway (between Piraeus, Magoula and Koropi stations, excluding the airport). Passengers must validate their tickets at the machines at the entrance to the station from which the journey starts.[4]

There are daily and weekly tickets, as well as monthly cards which also apply for all means of public transport in Athens. Fares are checked frequently. Passengers who fail to show a validated ticket or a monthly card are required to pay 60 times the price of a standard ticket.

[edit] Airport fares

Travel to and from the Athens International Airport requires a special 6 euros ticket. Return tickets are also available , as well as two- and three-person one-way tickets.

Athens metro 2007.png
A map of rapid transit systems in Athens, showing ISAP (green line)
and Attiko Metro (red and blue lines), in 2007

[edit] Line 1 (Green line)

Although often depicted on maps and route diagrams as part of Athens Metro, Line 1 (Green Line), is actually owned and operated by a separate company - Athens-Piraeus Electric Railways.

[edit] Line 2 (Red line)

 v  d  e Athens Metro L2
Acropolis station of Athens Metro system (Line 2).
Acropolis station of Athens Metro system (Line 2).
Line length: 11.8 km (7.3 mi)
Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) (Standard)
Unknown route-map component "uexKBFa"
Anthoupolis under construction
Urban tunnel track in use, with unused stop
Peristeri under construction
Unknown route-map component "utxKBFa"
Aghios Antonios
Urban tunnel station
Sepolia
Unknown route-map component "uKDSr" Unknown route-map component "utABZrf" Continuation backward
Sepolia Depot
Urban tunnel straight track Track from right Junction to right
Urban tunnel stop + Hub
Unknown route-map component "tSTR" + Hub
Station on track + Hub
Attiki Connection with ISAP
Unknown route-map component "utABZrg" Unknown route-map component "utSTRrf" Continuation forward
Express railway Urban tunnel stop
Larissa station Connection with OSE
Urban tunnel stop Continuation backward
Metaxourgio
Continuation to left Unknown route-map component "uTurmBHFu" Transverse track Track to right
Omonia Connection with ISAP
Urban tunnel stop
Panepistimio
Urban tunnel junction to left Urban tunnel from right
Unknown route-map component "utCONTr" Unknown route-map component "uKRZBHF" Unknown route-map component "utABZ3lf" Unknown route-map component "utCONTl"
Syntagma Connection with Line 3
Urban tunnel stop
Akropoli
Urban tunnel stop
Syngrou-Fix
Urban tunnel stop
Neos Kosmos
Urban tunnel stop
Aghios Ioannis
Urban tunnel station
Daphni
Unknown route-map component "utxKBFe"
Ag. Dimitrios
Urban tunnel track in use, with unused stop
Ilioupolis under construction
Urban tunnel track in use, with unused stop
Alimos under construction
Urban tunnel track in use, with unused stop
Argiroupolis under construction
Unknown route-map component "uexKBFe"
Elliniko under construction

The red line between Omonoia and Attiki is ISAP
(Line 1). The connection near Attiki is rarely used
by departmental trains. The connection with L3 is
used for empty stock movements.

[edit] Stations on Line 2

[edit] Future extensions

Extensions of Line 2 to the northwest (Peristeri) and southeast (along Vouliagmenis Avenue) are under construction. When all of them are operational (2010), the line shall run from Anthoupoli to Elliniko. Further extensions to the northwest are under consideration.[5][6]

  • Anthoupoli (Late 2009)
  • Peristeri (Late 2009)
  • Aghios Antonios (existing terminal)
  • Aghios Dimitrios / Alexandros Panagoulis (existing terminal)
  • Ilioupoli (Spring 2010)
  • Alimos (Spring 2010)
  • Argyroupoli (Spring 2010)
  • Elliniko, near the old Hellinikon International Airport (Spring 2010)

[edit] Line 3 (Blue line)

 v  d  e Athens Metro L3
Doukisis Plakentias metro station
Doukisis Plakentias metro station
Line length: 18.6 km (11.6 mi)
Gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) (Standard)
Unknown route-map component "uexKBFa"
(0') Haidari under construction
Unknown route-map component "utxKBFa"
Egaleo
Urban tunnel stop
(1') Eleonas
Continuation to left Unknown route-map component "umtKRZ" Continuation to right
OSE mainline
Urban tunnel stop
(3') Kerameikos
Continuation to left Unknown route-map component "uTurmBHFu" Continuation to right
(4') Monastiraki Connection with ISAP
Unknown route-map component "utCONTr" Unknown route-map component "uKRZBHF" Unknown route-map component "utABZ3rg" Unknown route-map component "utCONTl"
(1') Syntagma Connection with line 2
Unknown route-map component "utABZrg" Unknown route-map component "utSTRrf"
Urban tunnel stop
(3') Evangelismos
Urban tunnel stop
(1') Megaro Moussikis
Urban tunnel stop
(2') Ambelokipi
Urban tunnel stop
(1') Panormou
Urban tunnel stop
(2') Katehaki
Urban tunnel station
(2') Ethniki Amyna
Unknown route-map component "uteHST"
Holargos under construction
Urban tunnel stop
Nomismatokopio
Unknown route-map component "uteHST"
Agia Paraskevi under construction
Urban tunnel stop Continuation backward
(6') Halandri
Urban tunnel station + Hub
Station on track + Hub
(3') Doukissis Plakentias
Unknown route-map component "utSTRrg" Unknown route-map component "utABZrf" Straight track
Unknown route-map component "uKDSe" Urban exit from tunnel Straight track
Plakentias Depot
Junction from right Track to right
Stop on track
(7') Pallini
Stop on track
(2') Paiania-Kantza
Stop on track
(6') Koropi
Aiport Unknown route-map component "KBFe"
(6') Athens International Airport

Between Doukisis Plakentias and Aiport
stations Metro trains run on OSE lines.


[edit] Stations on Line 3

From February to August 2009 trains ran only between Egaleo and Ethniki Amyna stations. Services between Ethniki Amyna and the Airport were suspended due to work in progress for the construction of three new stations on the existing line. Services resumed on 2 September 2009.

[edit] Future extensions

Two new stations are under construction between existing stations Ethniki Amyna and Chalandri:[5]

  • Holargos (Late 2009)
  • Aghia Paraskevi (Summer 2010)

An southwestern extension is under construction and the new station Haidari is scheduled to open in late 2009. There are plans to further extend the line from Haidari to Piraeus. If the extension is approved, it shall serve the northwestern suburbs of Piraeus:

  • Egaleo (existing station)
  • Haidari (under construction, late 2009)
  • Agia Varvara (planned)
  • Korydallos (planned)
  • Nikaia (planned)
  • Tampouria (planned)
  • Piraeus (planned)
  • Piraeus-Dimotiko Theatro (planned)
  • Evangelistria (under consideration)

A new rolling stock depot is under construction near Eleonas station.

[edit] Rolling stock

  • First series (delivery): 28 six-car electric multiple units made by Alstom-Siemens-ADtranz (2000). Maximum speed 80 km/h.[7]
  • Second series (delivery): 21 six-car EMU made by Hanwa-Rotem-Mitsubishi (2004). Seven of these trains can also operate on OSE lines with 25 kV AC -50 Hz overhead electrification system and are used for airport services. All second series trains are air-conditioned. Maximum speed 80 km/h.
  • Third series: Athens Metro ordered 17 additional trains.
  • Four service hybrid locomotives (can operate from a third rail 750 V DC system or using their own diesel generators)
  • One rail-road Unimog
Batch Year Configuration Type Numbering Description
1st 2000 DT-M-MD+MD-M-DT DT A01-A56 56 EMU-3 "half-trains" operating as 28 EMU-6 trains. Made by Alsthom-Siemens-ADtranz. MD railcars have an auxiliary driving facility used only for shunting.
M B01-B56
MD C01-C56
2nd
(DC)
2003-2004 DM-T-M+M-T-DM DM D201-D228 28 EMU-3 "half-trains" operating as 14 EMU-6 trains. Made by Hanwa-Rotem-Mitsubishi.
T T201-T228
M M201-M228
2nd
(DC/AC)
2003-2004 DM-T-M+M-T-DM DM D251-D264 14 EMU-3 "half-trains" operating as 7 EMU-6 trains. Made by Hanwa-Rotem-Mitsubishi, can also operate on 25 kV AC, 50 Hz lines.
T T251-T264
M M251-M264
3rd 2011 A contract for 17 air conditioned EMU-6 trains was signed on 2009-09-16 with Hanwa-Rotem.[8]

Railcar codes: DM: driving motor car, DT: driving trailer, M: motor car, T: trailer, MD: motor car with auxiliary driving facility.

[edit] Archaeological excavations and exhibits

The concourse level of Syntagma Metro station.

During the construction of the metro tunnels, several artefacts of archaeological interest were discovered. This was brought about as a result of what is known as salvage archaeology, that is archaeology that comes into play when systematic excavation is required, not by the problems of antiquity but by the imminent destruction of historical material. Teams of archaeologists worked ahead of, then alongside of, engineers for a total of 6 years. They protected and recorded the archaeological evidence that was uncovered which included ancient streets, houses, cemeteries, sanctuaries, public workshops, foundry pits, kilns, aqueducts, wells, cisterns, drains and sewage tunnels. Together this allowed a new insight into the topography of the city in ancient times. Never before has such a rapid development of infrastructure been accompanied hand-in-hand with the attentive study and preservation of archaeological data.

Exhibitions of ancient artefacts and/or their replicas can be found at various metro stations, such as those of Monastiraki and Syntagma.

[edit] Proposed Line 4 (Orange line)

Alsos Veikou - Maroussi (new line, planned, but no funding is secured as of May 2009[9]) According to the Metro Development Study, two new lines would be constructed, as branches of the existing lines: a line 2 branch from Panepistimio to Alsos Veikou and a line 3 branch from Panormou to Maroussi. Further studies showed that the construction of an new separate line combining these two brances is preferable.[10] The proposal also recommends lighter rolling stock than the type used in lines 2 and 3. Currently geotechnical investigations are taking place at various locations on the proposed route. The proposed route for line 4 is:

  • Alsos Veikou
  • Galatsi
  • Kypseli
  • Dikastiria
  • Alexandras
  • Exarhia
  • Panepistimio/Academia (new station with underpass connection to existing line 2 station)
  • Kolonaki
  • Evangelismos (existing line 3 station)
  • Pangrati / Kaissariani
  • Ano Ilissia
  • Zografou
  • Goudi
  • Katehaki (existing line 3 station)
  • Faros
  • Filothei
  • Sidera
  • O.A.K.A.
  • Paradissos
  • Maroussi (existing line 1 station)

[edit] Proposed Future Expansion

In April 2009, The Hellenic Ministry of Public Works released an preliminary proposal for a future expansion of the Attiko Metro, as part of the new Regulatory Plan for Athens and Attica.[11][12] The proposal was intended to serve as a basis for future expansion of rapid transit in the Attiki basin, specifically stating that the project would not be completed in less than 20 years. The plan also called upon using only revenue from the Metro and highway system as the sole source of funding.

The proposed expansion would bring the system to a total of eight lines (including ISAP Line 1) with a total length of 220 km and serving 200 stations. In addition to small extensions to lines 1, 2, 3 snd 4, the proposed expansion would consist of lines 5, 6, and 7 which would cross the Attiki basin, passing through downtown Athens (a branch of line 6 would serve Pireaus) and line 8 as an incomplete circle around Athens.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d "Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 15". OASA. www.oasa.gr. http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/FactsAndFigures_en.pdf. Retrieved 2007-02-04. 
  2. ^ "Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 9". OASA. www.oasa.gr. http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/FactsAndFigures_en.pdf. Retrieved 2007-02-04. 
  3. ^ a b "AMEL - Athens METRO operation:OPERATION". Amel.gr. 2009-02-14. http://www.amel.gr/index.php?id=22&L=1. Retrieved 2009-05-04. 
  4. ^ "AMEL - Athens METRO operation:Flat fare tickets". Amel.gr. 2009-02-14. http://www.amel.gr/index.php?id=241&L=1#ticen90m. Retrieved 2009-05-04. 
  5. ^ a b "Extensions Under Construction". Athens Metro S.A.. www.ametro.gr. http://www.ametro.gr/cgi-bin/showextens.cgi. Retrieved 2007-08-03. 
  6. ^ "Planned Extensions". Athens Metro S.A.. www.ametro.gr. http://www.ametro.gr/cgi-bin/showfuture.cgi. Retrieved 2007-08-03. 
  7. ^ G. Nathenas, A. Kourbelis, T. Vlastos, S. Kourouzidis, V. Katsareas, P. Karamanis, A. Klonos, N. Kokkinos (2007) (in greek). Από τα Παμφορεία στο Μετρό. 2. Athens: Μίλητος (Militos). pp. 703–708. ISBN 978-960-8460-91-1. 
  8. ^ ATHENS METRO - Completion of the tender for the supply of 17 new trainsets for the Athens Metro (16/09/2009)
  9. ^ June 2008 issue of the free Attiko Metro magazine available in the stations
  10. ^ "AttikoMetro Inside". Ametro.gr. http://www.ametro.gr/page/default.asp?id=384&la=2. Retrieved 2009-05-04. 
  11. ^ The future Metro extensions were incorporated into the New Regulatory Plan for Athens and Attica Prefecture
  12. ^ Map of future metro system

[edit] External links