Municipality of Ioannina extends student bus pass subsidies

The Municipality of Ioannina has approved a new contract to continue subsidizing monthly unlimited bus passes for students of the University of Ioannina. The agreement with City KTEL Ioannina will run from October 2026 through September 2027, maintaining the monthly cost for students at 20 euros, down from the original price of 35 euros.

The subsidy structure involves a 10-euro contribution from the Municipality and a 5-euro discount provided by City KTEL. The total projected expenditure for the 12-month period is up to 235,000 euros, with 80,000 euros allocated for 2026 and 155,000 euros for 2027. The program is expected to benefit approximately 14,954 students.

During the Municipal Council meeting, discussions arose regarding the accuracy of student numbers and whether subsidies should be based on socio-economic criteria. Deputy Mayor of Finance Aris Kassis noted that the municipality currently lacks access to personal financial data to implement income-based eligibility, stating the subsidy is intended for students utilizing the City KTEL service for university transit.