HELLENIC REPUBLIC
Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport
PRESS OFFICE
Athens, May 22nd 2026
PRESS RELEASE
Temporary interruption of operation of the Thessaloniki Metro network in view of the integration of Kalamaria Extension into the existing network – Enhanced transportation plan prepared by Organization of Urban Transportation of Thessaloniki (OASTH)
From Friday May 29th until Friday June 19th 2026, the revenue service of the Thessaloniki Metro Base Line will be temporarily interrupted, in view of ensuring the safe and smooth completion of the necessary tests and controls of the new systems and the train operation in the Extension to Kalamaria. At the same time, new urban bus services will be added in view of facilitating passenger transportation.
Further to a meeting held with the participation of the Minister of Infrastructures and Transport Mr. Christos Dimas, the Alternate Minister of Transport Mr. Konstantinos Kyrianakis, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructures and Trasport Mr. Nikos Tachiaos and the agencies responsible for the transportation Project (ELLINIKO METRO S.A. Company, the Transport Organization for Thessaloniki (OSETH), the Organization of Urban Transportation of Thessaloniki (OASTH), THEMA Company), the completion of train and system tests for safe integration into Kalamaria Extension being the main subject, measures were introduced for the modification of Thessaloniki Mass Trasport Mode trips in view of providing the best passenger services.
Therefore, throughout the time period during which the Thessaloniki Metro network will be out of revenue service, OASTH will implement a special business plan to face successfully the increased transportation needs of the city, based on the model implemented during the earlier temporary interruption of the Metro system operation.
More specifically, the special bus line M1 will be once again set into operation as the semi-express line traveling along the Metro basic service zone.
Line M1:
- Route: Nea Elvetia – New Railway Station (moving on the Metro axis. Instead of passing by Delfon street, it will pass by Konstantinou Karamanli – Egnatia – Monastiriou street axis).
- Headway and fleet: M1 Line will be served by 16 articulated buses, with a 7-minute headway as an average.
- Timetable: Bus trips will be implemented from 05.00 until 24.00, seven days/week.
Inbound M1 line stops: 25 Martiou, Gymnasio, Ippokratio, Theageneio, Papafeio, PAMAK, AHEPA, Kamara, Aghias Sofias, Antigonidon, Plateia Dimokratias and New Railway Station.
Outbound M1 line stops: Zografou, Plateia Dimokratias, Antigonidon, Aghias Sofias, Kamara, AHEPA, University of Macedonia, Papafi (new temporary stop), Theageneio, Ippokratio, M. Botsari and 25 Martiou.
At the same time, new trips will be added to the following bus lines:
3: IKEA – New Railway Station
31: Voulgari – KTEL (Intercity Buses)
39: Kifissia – Dikastiria
In order to implement the aforementioned plan, OASTH, having obtained the concurrent opinion of the employees, is proceeding with the suspension of leaves of absence for drivers and station masters, as necessary, for the entire period within which the Metro system will be out of operation.
The agencies concerned point out that this specific phase constitutes a critical stage for the completion and integration of Kalamaria Metro extension, as well as for the overall upgrading of the Thessaloniki urban transport network.
