Thessaloniki

Basic information

Name of the public transport authority: Thessaloniki Transport Authority S.A. – TheTA

Name of the PTA in local language: ΟΡΓΑΝΙΣΜΟΣ ΣΥΓΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΚΟΥ ΕΡΓΟΥ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗΣ Α.Ε. – ΟΣΕΘ Α.Ε.

Geographical area: TheTA covers the Regional Unity of Thessaloniki, which includes 14 municipalities: Ampelokipoi-Menemeni, Chalkidona, Delta, Kalamaria, Kordelio-Evosmos, Lagkadas, Neapoli-Sykies, Oraiokastro, Pavlos-Melas, Pylaia-Chortiatis, Thermaikos, Thermi, Thessaloniki and Volvi

Inhabitants in the PTA area: 1.1 million

Responsibilities

Ticketing:

TheTA is responsible only for the ticketing policy of public transport. TheTA proposes the ticket prices and policy to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure works with the Ministry of Economy and Economics to decide the final ticketing policy.

However, initial announcements have been made that the procedure is going to change by the end of 2024. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure will propose fundamental changes and thus transfer the ticketing responsibilities to the PTA (system, sales, inspections etc.).

Procurement:

TheTA has the ability as well as the authority to procure public transport services. Whether it will be by tender or direct award depends on the value of the procurement defined precisely in the EU legislation.

Currently, the most valuable tender TheTA is arranging is the tender for the suburban bus network of the Regional Unity of Thessaloniki (around 40 bus lines). A new private operator will be tendered for a ten-year contract with a one-year option.

Rolling stock and depot ownership: The operators own the rolling stock and the depots.

Public transport planning: TheTA is responsible for the public transport planning in the area. This includes the service level, route planning, timetables, the locations of the bus stops, the planning of bus terminals and bus lanes, etc.

Development of mobility policy / Transport system planning: TheTA is responsible for the long-term planning of public transport. TheTA is also legally obligated to participate in the SUMPs (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans) of every Thessaloniki municipal entity in the subjects that concern public transport.

Marketing of public transport: TheTA does not have official responsibility for the marketing of public transport. However, TheTA continuously aims to promote public transport in several ways, for example through EU projects, with regular press releases and attending actively in the annual Thessaloniki International Fair.

Passenger information: Passenger information is provided by the operators. However, a part of the information will be provided by TheTA in the future, for example in a public transport app.

Organisational model

Metropolitan/regional department

TheTA was founded by Decree (Law N. 4482/2017). It is a public entity with a public service-related purpose, operates in the public interest and is supervised by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation. TheTA is owned entirely by the Greek state (Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure).

Decisions are made by the Board of Directors. It consists of nine members and is appointed by a joint decision of Ministers of Finance and Infrastructure and Transport as defined by Article 9 of Law 4472/2017.

The Chairman and the CEO of TheTA are chosen by the Minister of Transport following open tendering processes in accordance with a recent Law N.5063/2023.

Transport service contracting

Not procured by the PTA, but most/all services accept PTA tickets: Urban buses, regional buses within the PTA, metro (from the end of 2024 onwards)

Current developments

As of 2024:

• The first metro line (13 stations) by the end of 2024
• Eastern expansion of the Metro (5 stations) by mid-2025

The opening of the Metro will completely change the public transport in Thessaloniki. The bus network will also be redesigned when the Metro has opened.