Transport Minister Michalis Liapis clipped a proposal yesterday by Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis to extend weekend operating hours for the capital’s metro system.

Liapis shrugged off Kaklamanis’s proposal, saying: “Everyone has the right to go ahead and make any proposals they like... But there is no reason to turn the metro into a loss-making company as well.”

Liapis may have been angry that Kaklamanis had not consulted him before making the proposal, sources say, but the government is also wary of extending public transport operating hours for financial reasons.

The minister said the number of passengers on late night or early morning journeys would not cover the extra costs that will be incurred.

According to figures provided by AMEL, the company that operates the Athens metro, the firm had a turnover of more than –89 million last year but paid –70 million in costs.

When questioned on the issue yesterday, Kaklamanis admitted that he had not spoken to Liapis or AMEL’s managing director about the idea of the metro running for longer on weekends but he said that he hoped his “friend Michalis Liapis will not turn down this favor.”

Meanwhile, the transport minister unveiled plans yesterday to change the law on roadside recovery companies. Currently, only insurance companies can provide drivers with a nationwide recovery and repair service, but according to the draft law presented by Liapis other firms will be allowed to operate in this market.

He said that provisions would also be made to ensure that the companies that enter this sector have the necessary infrastructure to provide service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.