Railway ticket prices chopped
The cost of some journeys on the Proastiakos suburban railway will soon be reduced by up to half, said Transport Minister Michalis Liapis yesterday, as he inaugurated a new station on Pendelis Avenue in northern Athens. The price of a ticket from Doukissis Plakentias and Pallini to Koropi will drop from 2 euros to 1 euro. Single journeys between Larissis Station and Pallini, Kantza and Koropi will be reduced from 3 euros to 1.80 euros. A monthly travel card for unlimited journeys between Pallini and Athens International Airport will cost 50 euros rather than 80 euros. A ticket from Larissis Station to the new station on Pendelis Avenue will cost 70 cents. The new ticket prices are expected to come into effect on March 1. The Proastiakos runs from Larissis Station in Athens to Corinth in the south and to Athens International Airport in the north. Although it was built for the Athens Olympics, it has taken a while for commuters to start using it on a regular basis. Several price cuts since 2004 have helped attract passengers. Liapis said the fact that most carriages on the suburban railway are full each day proves that it has been a resounding success. The new station, which is called Pendelis, is located where the Attiki Odos meets Pendelis Avenue and is expected to be used by some 2,000 commuters each day. The extension to Piraeus is due to be ready by next month and the suburban railway is expected to reach Halkida by next year. Liapis said that his ministry is also in discussions with the municipalities of eastern Attica served by the suburban railway about issuing residents a discount card which would allow them to travel from Pallini, Kantza and Koropi stations to the airport for 3 rather than 4 euros.
