Thessaloniki Metro expands to Kalamaria with five new stations

The Thessaloniki Metro has officially expanded to Kalamaria with the opening of five new stations: Nomarchia, Kalamaria, Aretsou, Nea Krini, and Mikra. The 4.8-kilometer underground extension, inaugurated in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, connects Mikra directly to the city center.

Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Nikos Tachiaos stated that the expansion is expected to serve approximately 63,000 daily passengers, potentially removing up to 15,000 cars from the roads and reducing CO2 emissions by 25 tons per day. Tachiaos also highlighted plans for future extensions to Evosmos and Evkarpia, noting that cost-benefit studies are being prepared to secure EU and EIB funding.

Technological upgrades include the implementation of a ‘tap & pay’ system, which is currently available in Kalamaria and expected to expand to the main line early next year. Additionally, the metro's integration into Google Maps now allows users to plan multi-modal journeys involving the metro and local buses. The government also emphasized a shift toward electric buses to serve as feeders for the metro network.