“The metro is now a reality, and among our top priorities and duties is ensuring its safety,” stressed the Minister for Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, during his remarks at the Thessaloniki Metro depot in Pylaia.

“The metro is a landmark infrastructure project that serves thousands of our fellow citizens across the urban area of Thessaloniki. I hope that very soon, Thessaloniki residents will also be able to use the remaining sections currently under construction,” the minister noted.

Mr. Chrysochoidis highlighted the role of his ministry in supporting the government’s policies during the construction phase of the project and outlined the ministry’s next steps to ensure metro safety, underscoring that it is a “priority” and a “duty.” He added:

“The company managing the Thessaloniki Metro has private security measures in place, but immediately after the metro’s operation began, the Ministry for Citizen Protection decided to deploy police officers. These officers are now responsible for safeguarding the metro—both through patrols and fixed posts—based on a comprehensive security plan devised by the Thessaloniki Police Department. This plan is currently being implemented by 35 officers who are stationed on the trains and platforms daily during metro operating hours.”

The minister clarified that these 35 officers, led by senior police officials, have been executing the security plan since the metro became operational. However, they will soon be replaced by a larger and permanently assigned police force.

“This solution, this arrangement, is temporary. In the coming days, we will hire 65 new police officers who, after their training, will be stationed at the Thessaloniki Metro as a permanent security force. Their mission will be to fully ensure the metro’s safety—addressing minor criminal incidents as well as broader security concerns,” said Mr. Chrysochoidis. He continued:

“Measures must always be taken to guarantee that the metro is absolutely safe for the lives and property of our citizens, the infrastructure of the metro itself, and, more broadly, the property of all our fellow citizens.”