127 Posts in Transportation

Measures include the gradual and temporary restriction of circulation traffic, and a ban on stopping and parking at several sections of the road network. The roads affected include Katechaki, Messoghion, Vassilissis Sofias, Kifissias, Vassileos Konstantinou, Vassilissis Amalias, and Alexandras avenues, and Michalakopoulou, Stadiou, Panepistimiou and Akadimias streets. Diversions will be in place.

The taxi strike in Athens, which comes after drivers in other parts of the country began a four-day walk-off on Monday, is expected to put a strain on public transport and increase the turnout of cars on the city’s streets, making life even harder for commuters and residents in the Greek capital during a week of successive traffic nightmares. Official restrictions on traffic in downtown Athens begin on Wednesday during marches commemorating the 2008 killing of 15-year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos by an off-duty police officer in the central district of Exarchia. On Thursday, the Greek police is mounting a major security operation that includes street closures and parking bans for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Athens. In the meantime, various marches are planned by freelancers to protest measures included in the tax bill targeting evasion among self-employed professionals, which is also what prompted the taxi strike. The first of these is taking place on Tuesday outside Parliament on Syntagma Square, starting at 13:00.. Similar protests are being planned in Thessaloniki and other parts of the country too. 

It also encouraged unions to go ahead with any other mobilisation they deem necessary, in addition to the two 48-hour strikes. "No taxis on the road, the government must understand that our sector is being destroyed," the announcement said. The Athens Taxi Drivers' Union (SATA) had already announced an escalation of labour action with a 48-hour strike on December 5-6th, expressing "the rage and frustration of thousands of drivers over the government's tax-raiding attack". In an announcement on Sunday, SATA said that Athens taxis will be working on December 4th. Taxi drivers object to government plans to establish a higher minimum tax rate for the self-employed, regardless of their declared income.

In particular, according to the data available from the OASA telematics system database, comparing the period before and after the implementation of the Ring, in recent weeks an increase in the average speed of buses and trolleybuses has been recorded, reaching over 10% in several central road axes, such as Kifisias Avenue, Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue, Mesogeion Avenue, Iera Odos and Vouliagmenis Avenue, during the morning and midday peak hours. This increase implies a reduction in journey times. In particular, in the morning peak hours (07.00 - 10.00) 5 central road axes show an increase in speed after the implementation of the measure: -L. Kifissia, from Faro Psychikos to Ampelokipi (12.2%), - Vasileos Konstantinou Street, from the National Gallery to the Panathenaic Stadium (10.8%) -Sacred Way, from Eleonas to the Old Market in Piraeus (10.4%) -L. Vouliagmeni, from Ymitto to Kalirrois (6.7%) -L. Syngrou, from Agios Sostis to the Pillars of Olympian Zeus (6.5%) -L. Vasilissis Sofias, from L. Alexandras to Syntagma (3.3%)

The NTUA Senate invites the university community, young people and all citizens to participate in the anniversary events. "On November 1973, the National Technical University of Athens was at the centre of expression of young people's anguish and their struggle for education, democracy and freedom. Today it must remain a space for the free movement of ideas, respect for different views, resistance to any lack of democracy and the imposition of opinions and behaviors. This is the timeless message of the Polytechnic rebellion, this must be highlighted in the way it is celebrated, and this is today the collective and individual responsibility of the members of the Polytechnic community", the Senate's announcement stated. As the NTUA noted, the vindication of the students' struggle 50 years ago is reflected in the progress of the Greek university and the well-being of the country. Motorists in Athens will be better off staying put today as police shut down key roads in the city center in a major security operation for the anniversary of the November 17th, 1973 student uprising against the military dictatorship. Restrictions began at 6 a.m. on Friday, with a ban on parking all around the historic Athens Polytechnic building, where the uprising was centered. Vehicles will be banned entirely from circulating in most parts of the city center starting at 12 noon, including on Omonia and Syntagma squares, Panepistimiou, Stadiou and Akadimias streets, Vassilis Sofias and Alexandras avenues in their entirety, and other thoroughfares. The area around the US Embassy is also mostly off-bounds, as the customary protest march has been organized from the center this afternoon. Parts of Kifissias and Mesogeion avenues will also be affected as traffic is prevented from entering the city center. How long roads will be closed will be determined by the progress of the protest rallies and marches that are being planned for the occasion. Buses and trolley buses will also be affected, while metro stations are expected to be shut down on the route of the main marches.

Their union said that these scheduled mobilizations come against the govenrment's new bill for reducing tax evasion.

Road traffic will gradually be restricted until it is closed off entirely on the day, starting at 06:00 on Wednesday morning through 06:00 on Saturday morning along all the central Athens roads followed by the annual commemorative march, including: all the streets, squares and pedestrian walkways around the Athens Polythechnic on Patission Street, the streets at and around Exarchia Square, Omonia Square, Panepistimiou Av., Stadiou Av., Vassileos Georgiou St., Vassilissis Sofias Av., and all the streets around the US Embassy, including Michalakopoulou St., Papadiamantopoulou St. and Alexandras Av.

On Saturday, Nov. 11, during 17.00-20.00, two consecutive 10km races started at Amalias Ave. at Syntagma Square to the Panathenaic Stadium. Some of the streets passed through include Panepistimiou, Messoghion, Fidippidou and Irodou Attikou. On Sunday, Nov. 12, during 09.00-17.45, the 40th Authentic Marathon path will follow Marathonos Avenue to the Panathenaic Stadium through Messoghion Ave, Michalakopoulou, Vass. Sofias and Irodou Attikou, among others. Also on Sunday, the following two races will take place at the following hours, the first starting at Amalias Ave. in Syntagma and the second starting at Vass. Sofias Ave. in Syntagma, both concluding at the Panathenaic Stadium: 08.15-10.00, a 5km race, through the streets of Panepistimiou, Akadimias, and the NIMITS hospital area. 10.30-10.47, a Children's race of 1200m, through Ir. Attikou. In addition, short children's races will be held by local municipalities along the Marathon towns. In general, traffic restrictions will be introduced early on Saturday morning and stay in place, by location, to late afternoon on Sunday. In Athens, in particular, vehicles will not be allowed to park on several streets as late as 20:30. Bicycle riders and pedestrians are not allowed on the streets runners will use, and they are also not allowed to cross these streets during the race.

Sources said there are at least two major cruise companies from the US that are interested, even though the utilization of the port proceeds with the sale of 67% of shares and not the concession of the cruise pier. Lavrio currently sports a modern passenger terminal with the capacity only for small and medium-sized cruise liners; such vessels are likely to increase in numbers as the Aegean will in future likely to be served to a lesser extent by huge 300-meter cruise ships with 4,000-5,000 passengers that have drawn protest from the island destinations they call at.  

The following measures will apply on Saturday: -The metro station "Syntagma" will close at 08:00 and trains will pass through without stopping -Tram line 6 "Pikrodafni-Syntagma" will temporarily end at FIX station, starting at 08:00 -Tram line 7 "Asklipiio Voulas-Aghia Triada, Piraeus" will temporarily end at SEF from 09:00. Normal services will be restored after the end of the parade and the celebrations for OHI Day.  

The bomb, weighing 226 kg (500 lb), was unearthed on Tuesday during works for the redevelopment of the area of Hellinikon. The section of Posidonos Avenue affected lies from from Vergoti Square up to the intersection with Alimou Avenue, in both directions. Evrialis Road will also be entirely closed, while parking and stopping on this road will not be allowed from 21:00 pm on Wednesday night through 11:30 on Thursday night.

As the Chinese ambassador mentioned, the port of Piraeus "has become the largest multi-purpose port in the Mediterranean and the fourth largest multi-purpose port in Europe. It has also emerged as one of the fastest growing container ports in the world. Its annual handling capacity has reached a record high of 7.2 million TEUs, ranking 26th worldwide. Piraeus has also created more than 3,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs, directly contributing more than €1.4 billion to the local economy and boosting Greece's GDP by 0.8%. In addition, the port's strong cruise growth has effectively promoted the recovery of the Greek tourism sector, offering huge economic benefits to the region. By the end of September, the port of Piraeus has received 750 cruises and 1.2 million tourists. According to the reports of the Athens Stock Exchange, PPA shareholders received a dividend of 1.05 euros per share in 2022," said the Chinese ambassador. Continuing in the same vein, he pointed out that the China-Europe Land-Sea Express line starting from the port of Piraeus has reduced transit times by at least 7 to 10 days, becoming a third major channel for China-Europe trade, reaching to Central and Eastern European countries and complements traditional sea routes and the China-Europe Railway Express. In 2022, a total of 181,000 TEUs were transported through this land-sea express line, up 18.4% year-on-year, it noted. Beyond the port of Piraeus, he praised China-Greece cooperation in green energy projects. Cooperation in this area is thriving, contributing to the improvement of Greece's energy infrastructure and green growth, he pointed out. In particular, he referred to the Chinese investment in wind farms in Thrace and to its Chinese participation in ADMIE and the electrical interconnection of Crete with Attica. Regarding the first investment, he said it produces enough green energy each year to meet the electricity needs of 30,000 Greek households, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by around 160,000 tonnes per year, which is equivalent to planting 360,000 trees. each year. Regarding the second investment, he pointed out that since the first phase of the interconnection project became operational, the project has effectively put an end to diesel and heavy oil-based electricity generation on the island, resulting in an annual reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. coal by about 100,000 tons. He estimated that the project would save residents around 150 to 200 million euros per year in electricity costs. Cultural exchanges are also an important link in Greek-Chinese relations. Mr. Juncheng assessed that the cooperation in this field is brilliant, making special mention of the Center of Greek and Chinese Ancient Culture which was officially established at the University of Athens in February this year and for which President Xi Jinping sent a reply letter to five Greek scientists. In addition, he mentioned the fourth Confucius Institute inaugurated at the University of West Attica and the scientific cooperation agreement between the Academy of Athens and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In fact, he announced that several Chinese provinces and cities have already started synergies or are in the process of exploring opportunities for friendly cooperation with their Greek counterparts. He further spoke about the two-day Forum being held in Beijing under the One Belt One Road initiative, which is attended by representatives from more than 140 countries and more than 30 international organizations. "In the face of the challenges of traditional security and non-traditional security, we should remain committed to building a global community of shared future, which emphasizes 5 main features: transparency and integration, equality and justice, harmonious coexistence, diversity and mutual learning, unity and cooperation" he said and expressed the belief that economic globalization and multilateralism continue to be the dominant force of progress and humanity," said the Chinese ambassador. He then outlined the achievements of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative over the past decade. “By the end of June 2023, the Initiative has expanded to five continents and includes 152 partner countries and 32 international organizations, covering more than 65% of the world's land and population. More than 200 cooperation agreements have been signed to jointly build the Initiative and more than 3,000 projects have been formed. All this has mobilized investments of almost one trillion. USD, lifting around 40 million people out of poverty and creating 420,000 jobs in participating countries. From 2013 to 2022, the total volume of imports and exports between China and the Initiative countries reached 19.1 trillion dollars, with an average annual growth of 6.4%. In 2022, the total volume of imports and exports reached 2.9 trillion. US dollars, accounting for 45.4% of China's total foreign trade value during the same period, an increase of 6.2% from 2013."