Athens suburban railway and Metro Stations to undergo major upgrades

Alongside service frequency and punctuality, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the relevant operators are prioritising a cleaner, more functional and accessible network. The objective is to facilitate daily journeys, make public transport more attractive and deliver tangible improvements to the passenger experience.

To this end, a broad range of initiatives is already being advanced, including the repair of damaged infrastructure, maintenance works, and improvements to cleanliness and accessibility at stations across the Athens Suburban Railway and Metro networks.

Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport George Kotsiras said: “Through a coordinated, network-wide approach involving all relevant stakeholders and making use of national and European funding, we are seeking to transform the overall appearance of fixed-rail transport stations across the Athens metropolitan area. We are not limiting ourselves to isolated works, but implementing a comprehensive set of interventions covering maintenance and cleanliness, as well as safety, accessibility and passenger information. Our goal is to ensure that the hundreds of thousands of people passing through Metro and Suburban Railway stations every day can travel comfortably and with dignity.”

Works at Dozens of Stations Using National and European Funding

As part of this initiative, and in cooperation with the relevant organisations—including Hellenic Railways, Hellenic Railway Properties (formerly GAIAOSE) and STASY—projects are being rolled out across several areas.

On the Athens Suburban Railway, interventions are planned at more than 20 stations, while renovation works continue at stations across all three Athens Metro lines. In parallel, accessibility improvements are being planned for all Metro stations in Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as 33 railway stations nationwide.

More specifically, the tendering process for the renovation of the Suburban Railway stations of Ano Liosia, Metamorfosi, Irakleio, Kifisias and Penteli is nearing completion. The anticipated signing of the contract with the successful contractor will pave the way for work to begin, with completion expected within four months.

The project is funded by Hellenic Railway Properties and includes waterproofing station canopies, repairing damaged floors and steps, repainting surfaces, removing graffiti, applying anti-graffiti coatings and maintaining seating, depending on the issues identified at each station. Lighting at entrances and on platforms will also be upgraded, while electronic passenger information boards will be repaired or replaced.

At the same time, Hellenic Railways is advancing a programme to improve passenger facilities and upgrade 12 railway stations, nine of which are located in the Attica region.

These include Sfendali, Avlonas, Afidnes, Piraeus, Athens (Larissa Station), Agios Stefanos, Acharnes, Agios Ioannis Rentis and Agioi Anargyroi. The works will cover station facilities, canopies, platforms and waiting areas, with completion targeted for spring 2027.

Cleaning works, including the removal of graffiti and stickers, are also underway at Nerantziotissa, the Acharnes Railway Centre (SKA) and Rouf stations. In addition, a comprehensive renovation of Nerantziotissa station is being planned. The station is one of Attica’s most important rail interchange hubs, connecting the Suburban Railway with Metro Line 1.

With the support of STASY, maintenance and renovation works are also being advanced at four additional stations served by both the Suburban Railway and the Metro: Doukissis Plakentias, Pallini, Paiania-Kantza and Koropi.

The planned works include repairing damage to platforms and stairways, removing and replacing deteriorated bird-deterrent systems, repainting metal surfaces, and installing new seating and waste bins.

Meanwhile, renovation works continue at stations along Metro Line 1 as part of a broader modernisation programme for ISAP. The programme includes the refurbishment of train carriages—with the first fully refurbished train already in service—as well as infrastructure maintenance and enhanced safety measures.

Following the completion of renovations at Omonia, Victoria, Petralona and Kifisia stations, work is continuing at Monastiraki station. In parallel, plans are underway to replace all lifts and escalators at Line 1 stations, with the aim of improving passenger mobility and service quality.

Accessibility Upgrades Across the Network

At Kallithea station, accessibility upgrade works are expected to begin shortly, with completion scheduled within 12 months.

The project includes replacing the flooring on the pedestrian bridge and the railings along stairways, reconstructing tactile guidance paths for visually impaired passengers and warning surfaces on platforms, redesigning ramps, and upgrading signage and lighting.

This intervention is intended to serve as a model for similar upgrades at the remaining 23 stations on Line 1, with the works expected to be financed through the Social Climate Fund.

Ensuring equal and unhindered access for people with disabilities and passengers with reduced mobility is also central to other initiatives included in the National Plan for the Social Climate Fund. These measures are expected to substantially improve accessibility across urban public transport and the wider railway network.

Beyond the interventions planned at all 24 Line 1 stations, authorities are also planning to expand the digital navigation system Evelity, which is already operating at Acropolis station. The initiative involves developing software and installing the necessary equipment to digitally map stations and guide passengers with disabilities throughout the Athens and Thessaloniki Metro networks.

The objective is to make journeys easier and safer through the use of modern digital tools.

In addition, accessibility infrastructure is set to be upgraded at a total of 33 railway stations nationwide, alongside staff training to improve assistance for passengers with disabilities.

The measures will be tailored to each station according to its existing needs and deficiencies. Depending on local requirements, they may include the installation or upgrading of lifts and ramps, the creation of accessible routes, the installation of tactile signage, and the deployment of modern visual and audio passenger information systems.