The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Kostas Karamanlis, told SKAI TV that public transport was being restored as per normal after the bad weather Elpis with the first priority the safety of citizens, while he also laid blame on the concession company for Attiki Odos and TRAINOSE.

He went o to say that citizens could immediately claim compensation by Attiki Odos to the tune of 2,000 euros or more, adding that in 25 days the finding of the competent committee on the failure would determine the additional sanctions against the culpable company”

He said that passenger safety is paramount, emphasising that 710 vehicles are already on the roads.

Responding to criticisms about the gradual suspension of operation of the public transport on Monday, Karamanlis pointed out that: “We made a difficult decision, which, however, was absolutely necessary. At two to two and a half in the afternoon, we saw that the weather was out of control, we saw that the roads in the Attica basin had many problems. We could not risk having problems with buses, for example, a bus folding. So we made the decision to withdraw the buses.”

He said that at present Metro Lines 2 and 3 are operating normally and announced that: “An order has been given to clear all the stairs leading to the Metro stations because there is frost and we must be careful.”

“The means of public transport are starting to operate. Where there are problems, we are dealing with them. If there is a problem, we put the safety of passengers and citizens first.”

Mr. Karamanlis also responded to the opposition’s criticism of the withdrawal of public transport on Monday. “If the buses came out and there were accidents and more problems were created, we would be held accountable,” he said, adding that “this government puts the safety of the citizens first and foremost.”

Mr. Karamanlis pointed out that the Government apologised sincerely to the citizens who suffered, but also that for the first time the Government asked private companies, Attiki Odos and TRAINOSE, to pay between 2,000 euros and 1,000 euros respectively to drivers and passengers.

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