One in five Athenians used new travelcards
The capital’s new public transport ticketing scheme appears to have been an instant hit with Athenian commuters, as over 25,000 integrated tickets were snapped up in the city center alone within a day of going on sale, according to figures released yesterday. «This is just the start for us. The public’s warm reaction gives us strength to progress even more quickly and productively,» said Transport Minister Michalis Liapis, who is overseeing a plan to get one in two Athenians to use public transport daily. Transport officials said that more than 20 percent of the tickets sold since the policy’s inauguration on Monday afternoon were of the new travelcard type. The new fares were introduced alongside the existing ticketing scheme and allow passengers to ride nearly all means of public transport for 1 euro. A 70-cent ticket allows use of buses, trolley buses and the tram for 90 minutes.
