Athens Tram#Route history

{{Main|Trams in Athens}}

Athens Tram began its operations in 1882 with horse tramways. After 1908, the metre gauge tram network was electrified and was extended to 21 lines. The original Athens tram system ceased operations in 1960 and was replaced by trolleybuses and motorbuses. A standard gauge tram system was built by the Hellenic Electric Railways, from the perimeter of the Piraeus Harbour to Perama.

In March 2001, Tram S.A. was established as a public utility company under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, as a subsidiary company of Attiko Metro S.A., the state company which developed the Athens Metro network.{{cite web|title=Attiko Metro S.A. - The Company |url=http://www.ametro.gr/page/default.asp?la=2&id=5 |publisher=ametro.gr |access-date=18 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203075200/http://www.ametro.gr/page/default.asp?la=2&id=5 |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} The company started the construction of the initial network in the beginning of 2002, and was opened by Michalis Liapis (Minister for Transport and Communications) on 19 July 2004, a few weeks prior to the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.{{cite web|title=A grand project begins today|url=http://linuxweb.internet.gr/tramsa/html/en/grafeio_typou.php?id=12|website=Tram S.A.|access-date=20 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629000624/http://linuxweb.internet.gr/tramsa/html/en/grafeio_typou.php?id=12|archive-date=29 June 2006|location=Athens|date=19 July 2004|url-status=dead}} The construction of the tram network was financed by the Third European Regional Development Fund and Greek state funds.

In March 2011, the Greek Government passed Law 3920 to allow ISAP and Tram S.A. to be absorbed by AMEL.Law 3920, Government Gazette issue A-33, 2011-03-03. The resulting company was renamed STASY S.A. ({{langx|el|ΣΤΑΣΥ Α.Ε.}}) and is a subsidiary of OASA S.A. The merger was officially announced on 10 June 2011.Ministerial Decision 28737/2637, Government Gazette issue B-1454, 2011-06-17

From 19 October 2018 to 20 November 2020, tram services were suspended between {{metro|Syntagma}} and {{stl|Athens Tram|Kasomouli}}, due to concerns over subsidence in the underground riverbed of the Ilisos:{{cite web|title=Press release: Suspension of tram routes|url=http://www.oasa.gr/news.php?id=funk1783|website=Transport for Athens|access-date=20 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023221118/http://www.oasa.gr/news.php?id=funk1783|archive-date=23 October 2018|location=Athens|language=Greek|date=18 October 2018|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=The tramway returns to Syntagma|url=https://www.oasa.gr/en/blog/the-tramway-returns-to-syntagma/|website=Transport for Athens|access-date=20 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117094909/https://www.oasa.gr/en/blog/the-tramway-returns-to-syntagma/|archive-date=17 January 2021|location=Athens|date=19 November 2020}}{{cite news|last1=Kassimi|first1=Alexandra|title=Syntagma tram route resuming|url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/258786/syntagma-tram-route-resuming/|access-date=20 September 2022|work=Kathimerini|publisher=Kathimerini Publishing|date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926135210/https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/258786/syntagma-tram-route-resuming/|archive-date=26 September 2021|location=Athens}} services from {{metro|Faliro||Stadio Irinis & Filias}} to Edem and Mousson were also suspended from 16 March 2020 to 21 January 2021, due to realignment works associated with the Faliro Waterfront regeneration project.{{cite web|title=The Tram returned to SEF after 10 months|url=https://www.athenstransport.com/2021/01/tram-sef-3/|website=Athens Transport|access-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922101114/https://www.athenstransport.com/2021/01/tram-sef-3/|archive-date=22 September 2022|language=Greek|date=21 January 2022}}

The first extension of the Athens Tram, consisting of a single-stop {{Convert|700|m|adj=on}} line from {{stl|Athens Tram|Kolymvitirio}} to {{stl|Athens Tram|Asklepieio Voulas}} in North Voula, opened on 15 November 2007.{{cite news|last1=Delezos|first1=Kostas|title=The tram took three years to reach Voula|url=https://www.tanea.gr/2007/11/07/greece/to-tram-ekane-tria-xronia-na-ftasei-sti-boyla/|access-date=20 September 2022|work=Ta Nea|publisher=Alter Ego Media|date=7 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920193204/https://www.tanea.gr/2007/11/07/greece/to-tram-ekane-tria-xronia-na-ftasei-sti-boyla/|archive-date=20 September 2022|location=Athens|language=Greek}}

The second extension consists of a one-way loop from {{metro|Faliro||Stadio Irinis & Filias}} to Akti Poseidonos, along with twelve new stops: construction work started in 2013, and the first test run of the extension took place on 7 February 2019.{{cite web|title=Tramway Extension Piraeus: tram re-introduced in the city after 40 years|url=https://www.edilonsedra.com/historical-event-tramways-extension-to-piraeus-is-about-to-re-introduce-the-tram-in-the-city-after-nearly-40-years/|website=Edilon Sedra|access-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922094723/https://www.edilonsedra.com/historical-event-tramways-extension-to-piraeus-is-about-to-re-introduce-the-tram-in-the-city-after-nearly-40-years/|archive-date=22 September 2022|location=Haarlem|date=13 February 2019}} From 28 November 2019, trams heading towards Faliro terminated at {{stl|Athens Tram|Gipedo Karaiskaki}} instead of Stadio Irinis & Filias, before running out of service towards Akti Poseidonos.{{cite web|title=The Gipedo Karaiskaki stop is delivered|url=https://www.athenstransport.com/2019/11/tram-karaiskaki/|website=Athens Transport |access-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922095303/https://www.athenstransport.com/2019/11/tram-karaiskaki/|archive-date=22 September 2022|language=Greek|date=27 November 2019}} The loop opened to the public on 15 December 2021, with {{stl|Athens Tram|Agia Triada}} as the provisional terminus for Line 7.{{cite web |title=Commencement of the tram extension to Piraeus |url=http://stasy.gr/index.php?id=375 |website=STASY S.A. |access-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103192204/http://www.stasy.gr/index.php?id=375&no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=4358&cHash=cc26e927758f94bc3b8254daaed57369 |archive-date=3 January 2022 |location=Athens |date=14 December 2021 |url-status=dead}} The final terminus of the extension, Akti Poseidonos, is not yet open {{as of|September 2022|lc=y}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.athina984.gr/en/2021/12/06/peiraias-apo-tin-tetarti-i-leitoyrgia-toy-tram-apo-poy-tha-pernoyn-oi-dyo-nees-grammes/|title=Tram: The extension to Piraeus has been in operation since Wednesday|date=6 December 2021|access-date=6 December 2021|first=Isidore|last=Roussos|work=Athens 98.4 FM|publisher=City of Athens}}

In the early 2000s there was proposal for the tram lines to be extended towards Keratsini, Perama and Salamina. With a large part of the lines being underground, especially in Keratsini. With around an estimated 8,9 km the cost was expected to be around 180 million euros. But in 2018 a combined backlash by both local organisations and municipal governments halted the aforementioned plans, with now a new metro line being suggested instead.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-22 |title=Υπό εξέταση νέα γραμμή Μετρό προς Κερατσίνι, Δραπετσώνα, Πέραμα, Σαλαμίνα - Γιατί απορρίφθηκε το Τραμ |url=https://xaidarisimera.gr/grammi-metro/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |language=el}}

File:Athens Tram system 2nd Agiou Kosma stop.jpg

Ticket counters and automatic ticket machines with touch screens are available in some of the stations.{{cite web|url=http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=177&lang_id=1 |title=Tram SA - Points Of Sales of tickets |publisher=TramSA.gr |access-date=2010-05-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722221908/http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=177&lang_id=1 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}

Purchased tickets are valid for 90 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes) after validation and can be used for several rides for all means of public transport in Athens including the metro, buses, and the urban part of the suburban railway (between Piraeus, Magoula and Koropi stations, excluding the airport). Passengers must validate their tickets at the electronic validating machines inside the tram vehicle at the start of their ride. The normal adult flat fare is €1.20 (valid for 90 minutes).{{Cite web|url=http://www.stasy.gr/index.php?id=78#c86|title=Σταθερές Συγκοινωνίες Α.Ε. (ΣΤΑ.ΣΥ Α.Ε.):Ενιαία Εισιτήρια}}

There are daily and weekly tickets, as well as monthly cards which also apply for all means of public transport in Athens.{{cite web|url=http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=175&lang_id=1 |title=Tram SA - Cards |publisher=TramSA.gr |access-date=2010-05-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722222432/http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=175&lang_id=1 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }} Fares are checked frequently; passengers who fail to show a validated ticket or a monthly card are penalised by a fine of 60 times the price of a standard ticket.{{cite web|url=http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=178&lang_id=1 |title=Tram SA - Fines |publisher=TramSA.gr |access-date=2010-05-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722222522/http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=178&lang_id=1 |archive-date=2011-07-22 }}

Children under 6, the handicapped, and persons currently enlisted in the military are eligible for free transportation.{{cite web|url=http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=176&lang_id=1 |title=Tram SA - Free transportasion |publisher=TramSA.gr |access-date=2010-05-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100512085145/http://www.tramsa.gr/index.cfm?page_id=176 |archive-date=2010-05-12 }}

File:Straßenbahnnetz Athen.png

The Athens Tram currently consists of two routes, Lines 6 and 7:

• Line 6 starts at Syntagma Square in Central Athens, and runs south west towards the coast, before turning south east at the junction of Poseidonos Avenue and Achilleos towards Pikrodafni in Kalamaki.
• Line 7 starts at Asklepieio Voulas in Voula, running north west along the coast towards Agia Triada in Piraeus, operating in a one-way loop west of Neo Faliro.

Lines 6 and 7 (also known occasionally as T6 and T7 respectively){{cite web|title=First and Last Train Departures|url=http://www.stasy.gr/index.php?id=67|website=STASY S.A.|access-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119162237/http://www.stasy.gr/index.php?id=67|archive-date=19 January 2022|location=Athens|language=Greek|date=19 January 2022|url-status=dead}} were introduced on 6 December 2021, replacing Lines 3, 4 and 5.{{cite news|title=New tram routes come into effect in Athens|url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1173238/new-tram-routes-come-into-effect-in-athens|access-date=20 September 2022|work=Kathimerini|publisher=Kathimerini Publishing|date=6 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920213024/https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1173238/new-tram-routes-come-into-effect-in-athens/|archive-date=20 September 2022|location=Athens}} Line 7 was extended from {{metro|Faliro||Stadio Irinis & Filias}} to Agia Triada on 15 December the same year. The two lines share tram tracks from Pikrodafni to the junction of Poseidonos Avenue and Achilleos.

The present Athens Tram opened with five lines, which were named after ancient Greeks: Aristophanes (Line 1), Aeschylus (Line 2), Thucydides (Line 3), Aristotle (Line 4), and Plato (Line 5). Line 3 ran between Stadio Irinis & Filias (SEF) and Kolymvitirio, Line 4 ran between Syntagma and SEF, and Line 5 ran between Syntagma and Kolymvitirio.{{cite web|title=Routes|url=http://linuxweb.internet.gr/tramsa/html/en/diadromes.php?id=5|website=Tram S.A.|access-date=20 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040804154655/http://linuxweb.internet.gr/tramsa/html/en/diadromes.php?id=5|archive-date=4 August 2004|location=Athens|date=4 August 2004|url-status=dead}} Lines 1 and 2 were shortened versions of Lines 4 and 5 respectively, terminating at Leoforos Vouliagmenis instead of Syntagma: Lines 1 and 2 were discontinued in early-2005.{{cite web|title=Routes|url=http://linuxweb.internet.gr/tramsa/html/gr/diadromes.php?id=2|website=Tram S.A.|access-date=20 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050320104436/http://linuxweb.internet.gr:80/tramsa/html/gr/diadromes.php?id=2|archive-date=20 March 2005|location=Athens|language=Greek|date=17 March 2005|url-status=dead}}

Lines 3 and 5 were extended to Asklepieio Voulas on 15 November 2007. From 28 November 2019, westbound trams of Lines 3 and 4 terminated at {{metro|Faliro||Gipedo Karaiskaki}} instead of Stadio Irinis & Filias.

{{main|List of Athens Tram stops}}

Since December 2021, the system consists of 59 tram stops: one additional stop, {{stl|Athens Tram|Akti Poseidonos}} on the western end of the Piraeus branch, is complete but not yet open. A majority of the stops are within the South and Central Athens regional units: thirteen are in Piraeus, and one is in Voula.

The Athens Tram opened in 2004 with 35 Sirio trams from AnsaldoBreda. To support the extension of the system into the centre of Piraeus, an order was placed in July 2018 for 25 Alstom Citadis 305 trams, delivery of which began in September 2020 and ended in December 2021.{{Cite web |title=Alstom's Citadis X05 trams enter passenger service in Athens |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2021/12/alstoms-citadis-x05-trams-enter-passenger-service-athens |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Alstom |language=en}} The tram depot is in Elliniko.

• Transport for Athens
• Piraeus-Perama light railway
• Railway Museum of Athens
• List of rapid transit systems

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Trams in Athens}}

{{Rapid transit OSM map

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• [https://www.oasa.gr/en Transport for Athens] (OASA), the ticketing authority for the Tram {{in lang|en}}
• [https://stasy.gr/en Urban Rail Transport S.A.], the operator of the Tram {{in lang|en}}
• [http://urbanrail.net/eu/gr/athens/tram/athens-tram.htm Athens Tram] article on UrbanRail.Net
• [https://public-transport.net/tram/Athen Athens Tram] gallery at public-transport.net {{in lang|de|en}}

{{Public transport in Athens|state=expanded}}

{{Urban transport in Greece}}

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