Transport ministry extend deadlines for old monthly cards after outcry

After the outcry about the endless queues for commuters awaiting to have issued the new electronic cards, Greece’s Transport Minister, Christos Spirtzis decided to extend the deadline and allow holder of the old October monthly cards to be used until November 15th 2017.

According to state ERT TV, the minister also said that the old paper tickets can be used until the same date (Nov 15/2017).

Old tickets will be issued until Nov 6th. On the same date, single electronic tickets at 1,40 euros will be in circulation.

“Old October cards will be used until November 15,” Greece’s Transport Ministry said on Tuesday.

The minister’s decision comes after Athens Public Transport organization OASA proposed to the Ministry to extend the use of old monthly cards and of single paper tickets and to allow the purchase of single electronic tickets by commuters. The decision comes amid outrage as commuters have been standing in queues for an average of 3 hours in order to buy the new personalized electronic cards.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, OASA said it has proposed to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport

• the extension of  monthly cards of October until November 10
• the use of old paper tickets until Nov 6
• the issue of single electronic ticket at €1.40 as of Nov 6 that can be purchased as automatic tickets machines.

As of November 10, all commuters must use electronic cards or tickets. Commuters in possession of old paper tickets must have used them until Nov 6.

The barriers at the metro stations are scheduled to go into operation within the month of November 2017, OASA said in the statement.

The response of the Transport Ministry is anticipated by thousands of commuters who spend several hours in queues.

Two weeks ago, the Transport Ministry decided to shorten the transition period from the old to the new system after the minister got angry at workers assigned with the issue of the new tickets.

Officially, the last day for the old tickets and cards was October 31st 2017. After the outcry, the ministry extended the deadlines for a couple of days for the old cards holders who have not received their new cards by mail. The result: absolute chaos and trouble and the total confusion.

Transport Minister Christos Spirtzis said in a press conference early Tuesday afternoon, that the holder of the October monthly cards can use them until Nov 15 2017.

“All problems concerning the electronic tickets and cards will be solved within November,” the minister said.

In order to make this simple but especially complicated issue clear, KTG understands that the Transport Ministry announced that:

• Old October cards will be used until November 15th
• Old paper tickets can be used until November 15th
• Old paper tickets will not be issued after November 6th
• Single new tickets at €1.40 will be issued as of November 6th
• Barriers at the metro will be operational in November but there will be open gates for those with eligible to discount tickets (disabled, seniors etc) and free passage for unemployed. Discount tickets have not been available to purchase far.

More information about the new electronic tickets and cards in Athens public Transport Means