Railway headed westward
Another section of the western extension of the Praostiakos suburban railway moved a step closer to opening yesterday when a test run was conducted on the track between Corinth, west of Athens, and the town of Kiato. Transport Minister Michalis Liapis was on board for the test run along the 21-kilometer stretch, which is expected to open to commuters next month. Trains will reach speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour along this section. The Athens-Kiato journey is expected to take one hour and 45 minutes but the price of the ticket has yet to be decided, though sources said it is likely to be around 2 euros. A new station has been built at Kiato, which will also act as hub for Patras-bound trains. The suburban railway is expected to head further westward, to Xylokastro, by 2009. Also, the stretch from Athens to Halkida, on the island of Evia, is due to operate next year but the suburban railway is not due to carry passengers to the port of Lavrion, east of Athens until 2012.
