# Thessaloniki school transport compensation rise > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/thessaloniki-school-transport-funding > Updated: 2026-08-04T15:28:51.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. In mid‑July 2026 the Regional Union of Central Macedonia Municipalities warned that compensation rates for school‑bus operators were insufficient, threatening the Thessaloniki transport tender. After two failed tender attempts for 2026‑2029, the ministries of Interior, National Economy and Finance, and Education approved a raise in the minimum compensation in early August. The increase, proposed by Antiperiarch Kostas Gioutikas, lifts the per‑route payment from €107.98 to €132.98 for trips without an escort and from €121.55 to €156.98 for trips with an escort, with comparable hikes for small‑bus services. The higher rates cover roughly 16,500 pupils, including about 1,200 with disabilities, and are intended to make the contracts financially viable. A third three‑year tender will be announced on 7 August, giving operators a chance to bid under the new rates. Officials, including Interior Minister Theodoros Livanios, were thanked for the swift response, which should allow school routes to start on schedule. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-04: Thessaloniki school bus compensation increase approved for 16,500 students Greek ministries raised the minimum compensation for Thessaloniki school‑bus routes, covering 16,500 pupils and enabling a new tender after two failed bids. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thessaloniki-boosts-school-transport-compensation-for-16500-students ### 2026-07-14: Thessaloniki faces funding gap for student bus transport as two contracts are declared void Thessaloniki's regional council warns rising costs could leave 16,500 students without bus service after two transport contracts were void, seeking €1‑1.5 million in extra funding. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thessaloniki-faces-funding-gap-for-student-bus-transport-as-two-contracts-are-declared-void --- Cite as: Thessaloniki school transport compensation rise. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/thessaloniki-school-transport-funding