Athens’ urban transport services are entering a phase of total transformation, spearheaded by an extensive programme of procurement of new buses, utilization of multiple financial tools, strengthening of human resources, and restructuring of the operating model, which also includes expanding private participation in the transport project.

The plan, prepared by OASA in collaboration with McKinsey & Company, sets as key objectives the increase of public transport use to 40% by 2035 and a 30% reduction in state subsidies, without increasing the fare but through a change in the financing model.

Mass procurement and new financing tools

On the investment side, a multi-level financing scheme for fleet renewal is being activated. Through the NSRF, a tender worth €100 million is proceeding, which is expected to be launched by OASA in May and will involve 40 new trolleybuses with modern IMC technology and 80 electric buses.

At the same time, hydrogen technology is being introduced for the first time in urban transport through the Modernization Fund. The relevant program, as OSY management under Mr. Stefanos Agiasoglou explained yesterday, has a budget of 80 million euros and includes the supply of 50 hydrogen buses and the construction of a refueling station in Liosia, at a cost of about 7 million euros. The filling station is expected to be implemented by Avin, while the tender for the vehicles is planned to be launched by OSE in the summer.

Another funding tool is the Climate Fund, which will provide for a new supply of 100 electric buses, at a total cost of around €100 million. The relevant tender is expected in the autumn and will probably also be put out to tender by OASY.

At the same time, a request has already been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for the acquisition of another 120 electric buses through a 10-year leasing model for the period 2027-2037, in the context of seeking more flexible financing solutions.

Staff enhancement and new driver training school

The staffing of OSI with drivers is also a critical front, as the increase in the fleet and the number of routes requires a significant increase in staffing. Currently, the number of active drivers is around 2,750, with a target to reach 3,200 by the end of 2026. Recruitment approvals total 680 posts, with around 150 drivers already joined from recent procedures and a further 165 from earlier procedures.

An active driver bonus of €150 has been approved by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, a development that has already boosted interest in the posts. For the eight-month contracts, 118 final applications have been submitted so far, while around 200 people have expressed interest and interviews are underway.

At the same time, about 150 drivers have recently returned to work, and after reassessing about 400 cases of workers who had been removed for health reasons, several dozen have been referred for re-evaluation.

The operation of an OSY driving school, where instructors will be experienced company drivers, is expected to play a decisive role. Those who obtain a professional licence through the school will be committed to a five-year compulsory stay, enhancing long-term staff competence.

New operating model and expanding private participation

The plan also includes a deep restructuring of the operating model, with the introduction of performance indicators, cost and productivity targets, and a new commercial policy. A central option is to transfer the subsidy to the passenger rather than directly to the operator, in the context of a more customer-centric system.

At the same time, the participation of private operators through the KTELs is being significantly expanded. While OSI currently operates about 200 routes and another 60 are operated through KTELs, the new plan provides for the possibility of awarding an additional 12 to 13 new routes to private providers, worth a total of €15 million, to enhance coverage and improve the efficiency of the system.

At the same time, the consolidation of the trolleybus network is also being promoted, with the dismantling of inactive sections after approval by the Audit Court and a redesign of the network, which includes maintaining key axes such as in Kastella and removing lines from areas such as Kypseli and Pagrati.

The combination of investment, new technologies, staffing enhancements and changes to the operating model aspires to shape a new landscape for Athens’ urban transport, with a horizon of 2035.