The Greek EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, accompanied by members of the European Commission, visited the Thessaloniki Metro Depot facilities at Pylaia.
Mr. Tzitzikostas was welcomed by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructures and Transport Mr. Nikos Tachiaos, the CEO and the Chairman of ELLINIKO METRO S.A. Messrs. Christos Fafoutis and Spyros Chyssanthopoulos, respectively, the Project Manager and the Director of Operation and Maintenance of Thessaloniki Metro Messrs. Nikos Denis and George Zygogiannis, respectively, as well as the CEO of THEMA S.A. Mr. Francesco Rosella.
During the subject visit, the EU Commissioner and the members of the delegation were given a tour at the Operations Control Centre (OCC) of Thessaloniki Metro. They were thoroughly informed about the method based on which the operation of the fully automated Metro system is monitored and controlled in real time, as well as about the modern technological infrastructures ensuring that safe and reliable services are provided to the passengers. The OCC constitutes the central installation for the supervision and management of the system operation. Train circulation, signaling, electromechanical facilities, communication and station safety systems are monitored through integrated automation, remote control and supervision systems.
The aforementioned visit revealed the modern and innovative character of Thessaloniki Metro, a project which contributes decisively to sustainable urban mobility and the upgrading of the daily life of citizens and visitors of the city. Particularly important was the contribution of the European Union to the funding and completion of the project, since funds were granted for its construction by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the framework of three Programming Periods (3rd Community Support Framework (CSF) 2000-2006, National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2007-2013, NSRF 2014-2020). This support contributed decisively to the implementation of a project of critical importance for the city of Thessaloniki, revealing at the same time the essential role of EU in promoting modern infrastructures of sustainable urban mobility in our country.
