In his speech at the launch ceremony, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the Thessaloniki Metro a symbol of progress for Macedonia and all of Greece. He also personally committed that by the end of 2025, the extension to Kalamaria will be completed, followed by an extension towards western Thessaloniki.

Immediately after his speech, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, along with President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou and the responsible ministers, went to the control center and symbolically pressed the button to mark the launch of the metro service.

With the press of the button, the barriers at all 13 metro stations opened, allowing passengers to board.

Afterwards, Prime Minister Mitsotakis, his wife Mareva Grabowski, and President Sakellaropoulou boarded the first train and traveled to the Papafi station, with Mitsotakis traveling to the Papafi station and Sakellaropoulou to the Agia Sofia station.

The launch ceremony for the Thessaloniki Metro was held at the Pylaia depot.
At 13:29 on Saturday, Kyriakos Mitsotakis marked the start of the Thessaloniki Metro’s operation, an historic moment that marked the city’s entry into a new era of transportation.

The handover of the Metro project for use was made by the Prime Minister at the Pylaia depot, where the state-of-the-art control center for the safe operation of the Metro is also located.

With the press of the button, the barriers at all 13 metro stations simultaneously opened, allowing people to board.

Then, the Prime Minister, his wife Mareva Grabowski, and the President of the Republic boarded the first train and traveled to the Papafi station, with Mr. Mitsotakis traveling to the Papafi station and Mrs. Sakellaropoulou traveling to the Agia Sofia station.

The inauguration ceremony of the Metro at the Pylaia depot

The start of the Thessaloniki Metro’s operation was marked by Kyriakos Mitsotakis at 13:29 on Saturday afternoon at the Pylaia depot, in a historic moment that ushered Thessaloniki into a new transportation era.

The ceremony began with a blessing shortly after 12 noon, following the arrival of the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic. The first to take the podium was the CEO of Hellenic Metro S.A., Nikos Kouretas, who thanked Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his commitment to the realization of this major project.

Taking the stage, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated:

“This momentous day does not call for many words. Today, the project itself speaks—the most modern metro in Europe, as Thessaloniki deserves. It is a symbol of progress for Macedonia and all of Greece. A tangible project that, until the last moment, I am sure many in the city doubted would ever come to fruition. Yet, here it is. To put it differently: we said it, and we did it.

We have heard about the countless challenges this project faced, especially in uncovering the rare monuments hidden beneath this historic land. I take note of Mr. Exarchou’s public commitment that the extension to Kalamaria will be ready by November 2025. This project reflects all the systemic flaws we aim to leave behind—flaws that drove its cost to nearly €3 billion.

Today, those who doubted will change their minds when they see the results. We now have both the Metro and the ancient relics, offering an answer to the skepticism of every Thessalonian. Words have run dry. Today, we celebrate a milestone of trust between the State and its citizens.

I am proud to deliver this project, first included in the 1976 budget by Konstantinos Karamanlis. When physical distances are reduced, social distances shrink as well. Meanwhile, in Athens, Line 4 is progressing rapidly, and the bus fleets are being strengthened.”