New plan for Athens transport
The creation of a single body with the power to manage the Attica traffic and transport system was proposed at a meeting yesterday between Transport Minister Michalis Liapis, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis and local authority representatives. The meeting took place as part of a wider discussion aimed at establishing an integrated transport policy for Athens. «Local communities are looking for someone to regulate this burning problem. The United Metropolitan Authority that has been suggested would have the role of coordinating all the bodies that would have a reason for expressing an opinion about transport,» said Petros Fillipou, president of the Union of Municipalities and Communities in Attica (TEDKNA). Liapis admitted that recent traffic and transport changes during the Olympics had served as an inspiration and platform for the latest initiative. «After the Olympics, we have developed a new transport culture in Athens. Despite the problems that continue to exist, public transport has become more reliable and effective in the eyes of passengers,» he said.
