Line 3 Extension of the Athens Metro, “Aghia Marina – Piraeus” Section and Athens Metro Trains
The Line 3 Extension of the Athens Metro “Aghia Marina – Piraeus” and the Athens Metro Trains Project is co-funded by the EU as a phased project between two Program Periods NSRF 2007-2013, Operational Programme “ROAD AXES, PORTS URBAN DEVELOPMENT” (Phase Α) and NSRF 2014-2020, Operational Program “INFRASTRUCTURES, ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT” (Phase Β).
The physical scope, as integrated in the Operational Programme Operations wherefrom the project is co-funded by the NSRF, concerns the construction of the west extension of the Athens Metro Line 3 to Piraeus extending from Aghia Marina Station up to the forestation of Dimotiko Theatro. It includes a 7.6 km with 6 new metro stations: Aghia Varvara, Korydallos, Nikea, Maniatika, Piraeus, Dimotiko Theatro. The project also includes the supply of 17 trains (Series ΙΙΙ) for the needs of Lines 2 and 3 of the Athens Metro.
Budget: The total approved budget of the subject integrated project (Phase A and Phase B) is 763 million EURO (VAT not included).
Feasibility (necessity / anticipated benefits):
According to the 2011 census, the city of Piraeus has 176,000 inhabitants as a municipal administrative unit and 466,000 inhabitants in the wider area with more than 330,000 transportations taking place on a daily basis (approximately 18% of the transportations originate from the zone of the municipalities located along the sea front up to Vouliagmeni and 26% from the municipalities at the west and north-west of Piraeus up to Peristeri and Haidari). In addition to its large size population, Piraeus is the most significant industrial center of Greece and the greatest commercial center of the Greek economy, while the Port of Piraeus has the largest passenger traffic in Europe (12 million passengers annually).
Piraeus also houses many trans-regional uses of metropolitan magnitude, such as: The University of Piraeus, Tzaneio and Metaxa Hospitals, the Hellenic Navy Complex in Palataki, housing the Hellenic Naval Academy, the Aegean Naval Command and the Lighthouse Service as well as two major Stadiums, Peace and Friendship Stadium and G. Karaiskakis Stadium. Currently, Piraeus is served by a network of bus lines, a few trolley-bus local lines and the old electric railway line which connects Neo Faliro directly with the Port by-passing the city centre. The existing coastal tramway line (developing along the waterfront of Saronikos Bay) approaches Piraeus; nevertheless, it only reaches Neo Faliro, its outer gate. Traffic congestion and the accompanying environmental problems are evident at the centre of Piraeus, in addition to the acute parking problem, which residents and visitors – employees are faced with.
The anticipated project benefits include: reduction of road accidents and their impact, as a result of the Metro operation. Reduction of transportation cost for those currently using their private vehicles or taxis. Reduction of the operational cost of OASA buses due to the decongestion of the city’s arteries, as a result of the operation of the Metro. Time saving for those currently using their private vehicles, taxis and OASA buses.
Western Tramway Extension to Piraeus
The Western Tramway Extension to Piraeus is co-funded by EU as a phased project between two Program Periods NSRF 2007-2013, Regional Operational Programme “ATTIKA” (Phase Α) and NSRF 2014-2020, Regional Operational Programme “ATTIKA” (Phase Β).
The physical scope, as integrated in the Operational Programme Operations wherefrom the project is co-funded by the NSRF, includes a 4.8 km long Metro line with 5 new stations, and the supply of 9 trains.
Budget: The total approved budget of the subject project is €113 million (VAT not included).
Feasibility (necessity / anticipated benefits):
According to the 2011 census, the city of Piraeus has 176,000 inhabitants as a municipal administrative unit and 466,000 inhabitants in the wider area with more than 330,000 transportations taking place on a daily basis (approximately 18% of the transportations originate from the zone of the municipalities located along the sea front up to Vouliagmeni and 26% from the municipalities at the west and north-west of Piraeus up to Peristeri and Haidari). In addition to its large size population, Piraeus is the most significant industrial center of Greece and the greatest commercial center of the Greek economy, while the Port of Piraeus has the largest passenger traffic in Europe (12 million passengers annually).
Piraeus also houses many trans-regional uses of metropolitan magnitude, such as: The University of Piraeus, Tzaneio and Metaxa Hospitals, the Hellenic Navy Complex in Palataki, housing the Hellenic Naval Academy, the Aegean Naval Command and the Lighthouse Service as well as two major Stadiums, Peace and Friendship Stadium and G. Karaiskakis Stadium. Currently, Piraeus is served by a network of bus lines, a few trolley-bus local lines and the old electric railway line which connects Neo Faliro directly with the Port by-passing the city centre.
Traffic congestion and the accompanying environmental problems are evident at the centre of Piraeus, in addition to the acute parking problem, which residents and visitors – employees are faced with.
The anticipated project benefits include: Improvement of the services offered for accessing the area using Public Transport Modes (new fixed route infrastructure).
Time saving for those currently using their private vehicles, taxis and buses as a result of the upgraded services offered by the Means of Public Transport and traffic decongestion in the city. The protection of the environment, since the tram is an environment-friendly mode. The use of private vehicles, a transportation mode detrimental for environment due to the air pollution it creates, is also rationalized.
