Athens Metro

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Athens Metro Αττικό Μετρό
Info
Locale	Athens
Transit type	Rapid transit
Number of lines	2+1
Number of stations	25 (lines 2 & 3)
Daily ridership	1,150,000[1][2]
Operation
Began operation	2000 (lines 2 & 3), 1869 (part of line 1)
Owner	Attiko Metro S.A.
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] 25.6 km (15.91 mi) (green)[2]
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (standard gauge)

The Athens Metro is an underground rapid transit system in Athens, Greece, constructed and owned by Attiko Metro S.A. (Greek: Αττικό Μετρό Α.Ε., literally 'Attican metro') and operated by Attiko Metro Etareia Leitourgias S.A. (Greek: Αττικό Μετρό Εταιρεία Λειτουργίας Α.Ε.). It consists of two underground lines. Another rapid transit line, the Piraeus-Athens-Kifissia line of ISAP (Ilektrikoi Sidirodromoi Athinon-Pireos S.A.) is often shown on maps and route diagrams as part of Athens Metro but it is a separate operation.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Green Line 1.2 Blue and Red lines 2 Ticketing policy 2.1 Airport fares 3 Line 1 (Green line) 3.1 Stations on Line 1 4 Line 2 (Red line) 4.1 Stations on Line 2 4.2 Future extensions 5 Line 3 (Blue line) 5.1 Stations on Line 3 5.2 Future extensions 6 Rolling stock 7 Archaeological excavations and exhibits 8 Proposed Line 4 (Orange line) 9 See also 10 References 11 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Green Line

Metro Line 1 (Green line) was inaugurated in 1869 as a steam railway connecting Athens and Piraeus, owned and operated by Athens-Piraeus Railway S.A. The line was electrified in 1904 and evolved in a rapid transit system. Since 1958 Line 1 runs from Piraeus to the suburb of Kifisia. Currently it is owned, maintained and operated by Athens Piraeus Electric Railway S.A. (Greek: Ηλεκτρικοί Σιδηρόδρομοι Αθηνών-Πειραιώς) but it is sometimes shown on maps as part of Athens Metro. Its total length as of February 2008 is around 26 km. There is a rarely used service connection between ISAP and Athens Metro systems at Attiki station. Electric traction, signalling and radio communication systems on ISAP and Athens Metro lines are similar.

[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 2007 have 26 stations between them. 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.

[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). A passenger must validate their ticket 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 ticket. Return tickets are also available , as well as two- and three-person one-way tickets.

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)

[edit] Stations on Line 1

• Piraeus, near the Piraeus port, the southernmost station of Line 1
• Faliro, near Peace and Friendship Stadium and Karaiskákis Stadium, passenger connection with the tram
• Moschato
• Kallithea
• Tavros
• Petralona
• Thissio (Thission)
• Monastiraki, passenger connection with Line 3
• Omonoia (Omonia), passenger connection with Line 2
• Victoria station (Victoria)
• Attiki, passenger connection with Line 2
• Agios Nikolaos
• Kato Patissia
• Agios Eleftherios
• Ano Patissia
• Perissos
• Pefkakia
• Nea Ionia
• Heraklio
• Eirini, near the Athens Olympic Sports Complex
• Nerantziotissa, passenger connection with the suburban railway
• Marousi
• KAT, near the KAT Hospital
• Kifissia, the northernmost station of Line 1

[edit] Line 2 (Red line)

v • d • e Athens Metro L2
Acropolis station of Athens Metro system (Line 2).
Line length:	11.8 km (7.3 mi)
Gauge:	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (Standard)
Legend Anthoupolis Peristeri Aghios Antonios Sepolia Sepolia Depot Attiki Connection with ISAP Larissa station Connection with OSE Metaxourgio Omonia Connection with ISAP Panepistimio Syntagma Connection with Line 3 Akropoli Syngrou-Fix Neos Kosmos Aghios Ioannis Daphni Ag. Dimitrios Ilioupolis Alimos Argiroupolis Elliniko 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

• Aghios Antonios in Peristeri
• Sepolia
• Attiki
• Larissa station – Athens central railway station (OSE, Proastiakos)
• Metaxourgio – north-east of Omonia Square
• Omonia – underneath Omonia Square, connection to Line 1
• Panepistimio – near the University of Athens
• Syntagma – Syntagma Square; connection to Line 3
• Akropoli – stop for the Acropolis
• Syngrou-Fix – near Andreas Syngrou Avenue
• Neos Kosmos
• Aghios Ioannis – next to Vouliagmenis Avenue
• Daphni – in the heart of Daphni
• Aghios Dimitrios/Alexandros Panagoulis - near Agios Dimitrios, Ilioupoli and Vouliagmenis Avenue

[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
Line length:	18.6 km (11.6 mi)
Gauge:	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (Standard)
Legend (0') Haidari Egaleo (1') Eleonas OSE mainline (3') Kerameikos (4') Monastiraki Connection with ISAP (1') Syntagma Connection with line 2 (3') Evangelismos (1') Megaro Moussikis (2') Ambelokipi (1') Panormou (2') Katehaki (2') Ethniki Amyna Holargos under construction Nomismatokopio under construction Agia Paraskevi under construction (6') Halandri (3') Doukissis Plakentias (7') Pallini (2') Paiania-Kantza (6') Koropi (6') Athens International Airport Between Doukisis Plakentias and Aiport stations Metro trains run on OSE lines. Since Feb. 2009 all eastbound trains terminate at Ethniki Amyna due to WIP for the three new stations.

[edit] Stations on Line 3

• Egaleo
• Eleonas
• Kerameikos
• Monastiraki – passenger connection to Line 1.
• Syntagma – next to Syntagma Square, passenger connection to Line 2.
• Evangelismos, close to Hilton Athens and the National Gallery (Athens)
• Megaro Moussikis, next to the Athens Concert Hall (music hall)
• Ambelokipi – near Ambelokipi
• Panormou
• Katehaki
• Ethniki Amyna
• Halandri
• Doukissis Plakentias, passenger connection with the suburban railway
• Pallini, station shared with the suburban railway.
• Paiania–Kantza, station shared with the suburban railway.
• Koropi, station shared with the suburban railway.
• Athens International Airport, station shared with the suburban railway.

Since February 2009 trains run only between Egaleo and Ethniki Amyna stations. Services between Ethniki Amyna and the Airport are suspended due to work in progress for the construction of three new stations on the existing line.

[edit] Future extensions

This article or section contains information about proposed, planned or expected public transportation infrastructure. It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change dramatically as the construction and/or completion of the infrastructure approaches, and more information becomes available.

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

• Holargos (Late 2009)
• Nomismatokopio (August 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 Elenonas station.

[edit] Rolling stock

• First batch (delivery): 28 six-car electric multiple units made by Alsthom-Siemens-ADtranz (2000). Maximum speed 80 km/h. ^[7]
• Second batch (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 generation trains are air-conditioned. Maximum speed 80 km/h.
• Third batch: Athens Metro plans to buy 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

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

This section may require copy-editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. You can assist by editing it now.  (May 2009)

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)

This article or section contains information about proposed, planned or expected public transportation infrastructure. It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change dramatically as the construction and/or completion of the infrastructure approaches, and more information becomes available.

Alsos Veikou - Maroussi (new line, planned, but no funding is secured as of May 2009^[8]) According to the Metro Development Study, two new lines should 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 would be preferable.^[9] 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

[edit] See also

• Athens Mass Transit System
• Thessaloniki Metro
• List of rapid transit systems
• Media related to Athens Metro at Wikimedia Commons

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Attiko Metro Operation Company S.A. (English)
• Attiko Metro S.A. (English)
• Athens Piraeus Electric Railway (ISAP) S.A. official website
• UrbanRail.Net - Athens Metro
• Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) (English)
• Hellenic Ministry of Public Works page on the Athens Metro