Thessaloniki Opens €3 Billion Driverless Metro After Decades of Delays

The long-awaited metro system integrates archaeological treasures with modern infrastructure, transforming urban transit in Greece's second-largest city.

• The Thessaloniki metro, featuring driverless trains and 13 stations, officially opened after 48 years of planning and construction delays.
• Construction was repeatedly halted due to the discovery of over 300,000 archaeological artifacts, many of which are now displayed in the metro stations.
• The €3 billion project is expected to reduce daily car traffic by 57,000 vehicles and serve 254,000 passengers in the metropolitan area.
• The central Venizelou station showcases a preserved ancient Roman road and marketplace, blending antiquity with modern transit design.
• Future expansions, including an eastward extension in 2025 and a long-term plan to connect to Macedonia Airport, aim to further enhance the network.

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