Line A2 (Athens Suburban Railway)

{{Short description|Rapid transit line in Athens, Greece}}

{{more citations needed|date=January 2025}}

{{Use British English|date=February 2025}}

{{use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox rail service

| box_width = 25em

| name = Line A2 (Ano Liosia–Airport)

| color = {{rcr|Athens Suburban Railway|A2}}

| logo =

| logo_width =

| image = File:SUBURBAN TRAIN ON ATHENS AIRPORT - panoramio.jpg

| image_width =

| alt =

| caption = A OSE class 460 train awaiting departure at Athens Airport.

| type = Commuter rail

| status = Operating

| locale = Greece (Attica)

| predecessor =

| first = {{start date and age|2017|07|30|df=y}}

| last =

| successor =

| operator = Hellenic Train

| formeroperator = TrainOSE

| ridership =

| ridership2 =

| website = {{URL|https://www.hellenictrain.gr/}}

| start = Ano Liosia

| stops = 12

| end = Athens Airport

| distance = {{convert|33.18|km|mi|abbr=on}}

| journeytime = 34 minutes

| frequency = 22 per-day

| trainnumber =

| line_used = Piraeus–Platy Athens Airport–Patras

| stock = OSE class 460 (EMU)

| gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}

| el =

| speed = {{convert|160|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} (average)
{{convert|200|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} (highest)

| trainlength =

| owners = OSE (Lines), GAIOSE (Buildings){{cite web |url=https://www.gaiaose.com/ |title=Home |website=gaiaose.com}}

| routenumber =

| maintenance =

| sharing =

| map = {{Athens Suburban Railway Line 2 RDT}}

| map_state = collapsed

| module =

}}

Line A2 is an Athens Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) line in Athens, Greece, managed by Hellenic Train. The service connects Ano Liosia railway station with the Airport. The line shares a part of its course with lines A1 and A4 as well as Metro Line 3, but also with line A3 at Acharnes Railway Center. The first Suburban line was inaugurated on 30 July 2004, using 17 OSE Class 560 DMUs between Larissa Station (Now Athens) and the Airport,{{cite web |last1=Athens Suburban and Regional Railway |title=Athens Suburban and Regional Railway {{!}} Hellenic Train |url=https://www.hellenictrain.gr/en/athens-suburban-and-regional-railway |website=Hellenic Train |access-date=14 February 2025 |language=en}} and although it is shown as a separate route on maps, it currently operates as a feeder line to Line A1. The line now exclusively uses OSE class 460 EMUs rolling stock.

History

Line A2 is a remnant of a standard gauge suburban railway service that ran between {{stn|Athens Airport}} and {{rws|Kiato}}. The first section of the service between the Airport and {{rws|Corinth}}, using Class 560 diesel multiple units, opened on 27 September 2005:{{cite news|title=Σε μία ώρα στην Κόρινθο από αύριο ο Προαστιακός|trans-title=The Suburban Railway to Corinth in one hour, starting tomorrow|url=https://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/104712|access-date=31 January 2025|work=Naftemporiki|publisher=Giorgos Melissanidis|date=26 September 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022043952/https://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/104712|archive-date=22 October 2020|location=Piraeus|language=el}} the western extension to Kiato followed on 9 July 2007.{{cite web|title=Επέκταση γραμμής Προαστιακού στο Κιάτο|trans-title=Extension of Suburban Railway to Kiato|url=http://www.proastiakos.gr/?tid=9&aid=38|website=Proastiakos|publisher=OSE|access-date=6 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714141810/http://www.proastiakos.gr/?tid=9&aid=38|archive-date=14 July 2007|location=Athens|language=el|date=5 July 2007|url-status=unfit}} {{cite web|last1=Roberts|first1=Ralph|title=Δρομολόγια|trans-title=Timetable|url=http://www.proastiakos.gr/files/KORINTH-ATHENS_GR.xls|website=Proastiakos|publisher=OSE|access-date=6 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124202542/http://www.proastiakos.gr/files/KORINTH-ATHENS_GR.xls|archive-date=24 November 2005|location=Athens|language=el|date=26 September 2005|url-status=unfit}}

Direct train services between {{rws|Ano Liosia}} (the current western terminus of Line A2) and the Airport began on 18 July 2006, with the opening of Ano Liosia station on the Airport–Patras railway.{{cite news|title=Προαστιακός: Εγκαίνια τριών νέων σταθμών|trans-title=Suburban Railway: Opening of three new stations|url=https://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/135730|access-date=31 January 2025|work=Naftemporiki|publisher=Giorgos Melissanidis|date=17 July 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021073956/https://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/135730|archive-date=21 October 2020|location=Piraeus|language=el}} Due to electrification works, the Airport–Kiato service was split from 6 July 2008 to 12 December 2010, after which the entire service was served by electric trains using Class 460 electric multiple units.{{cite web|title=Νέα Δρομολόγια Προαστιακού Σιδηροδρόμου|trans-title=New Suburban Railway Timetable|url=http://www.proastiakos.gr/?tid=9&aid=58|website=Proastiakos|publisher=OSE|access-date=6 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706074450/http://www.proastiakos.gr/?tid=9&aid=58|archive-date=6 July 2008|location=Athens|language=el|date=3 July 2008|url-status=unfit}} {{cite web|title=Πρόγραμμα Δρομολογίων|trans-title=Programme Timetable|url=http://proastiakos.gr/files_files/File/DROMOLOGIA_6_7_08(1).pdf|website=Proastiakos|publisher=OSE|access-date=6 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205231107/http://proastiakos.gr/files_files/File/DROMOLOGIA_6_7_08(1).pdf|archive-date=5 February 2009|location=Athens|language=el,en|date=27 June 2008|url-status=unfit}}{{cite news|title=ΤΡΑΙΝΟΣΕ: Νέο πλέγμα δρομολογίων Προαστιακού Σιδηροδρόμου|trans-title=TrainOSE: New network of Suburban Railway routes|url=https://www.capital.gr/epixeiriseis/1101791/trainose-neo-plegma-dromologion-proastiakou-sidirodromou|access-date=6 August 2024|work=Capital.gr|date=10 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314234819/https://www.capital.gr/epixeiriseis/1101791/trainose-neo-plegma-dromologion-proastiakou-sidirodromou|archive-date=14 March 2024|location=Athens|language=el}} {{cite web|title=Προαστιακός (χάρτης)|trans-title=Proastiakos (map)|url=http://trainose.gr/sites/default/files/news/uploads/proastiakos_athinwn_map.pdf|website=TrainOSE|publisher=OSE|access-date=6 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004231253/http://trainose.gr/sites/default/files/news/uploads/proastiakos_athinwn_map.pdf|archive-date=4 October 2011|location=Athens|language=el,en|date=11 August 2011}}

On 30 July 2017, due to the restructuring of suburban railway services associated with the introduction of electric trains to Athens railway station and (since 2018) {{stn|Piraeus}}, the direct Airport–Kiato service was replaced by the SKA–Airport shuttle, effectively reinforcing the median strip section of Line A1.{{cite web|title=Σημαντικές αλλαγές στον Προαστιακό Σιδηρόδρομο Αθήνας από 30/07/2017|trans-title=Important changes for the Athens Suburban Railway from 30/07/2017|url=http://www.trainose.gr/σημαντικές-αλλαγές-στον-προαστιακό-σ|website=TrainOSE|publisher=OSE|access-date=6 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731171830/http://www.trainose.gr/σημαντικές-αλλαγές-στον-προαστιακό-σ|archive-date=31 July 2017|location=Athens|language=el|date=July 2017}} {{cite web|title=Προαστιακός Σιδηρόδρομος Αθηνών|trans-title=Athens Suburban Railway (map)|url=http://www.trainose.gr/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/suburban_athens_from_07_2017.pdf|website=TrainOSE|publisher=OSE|access-date=6 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809001547/http://www.trainose.gr/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/suburban_athens_from_07_2017.pdf|archive-date=9 August 2017|location=Athens|language=el,en|date=July 2017}} On 24 February 2018, the western end of what is now Line A2 was extended to Ano Liosia.{{cite web|title=Επέκταση δρομολογίων στις διαδρομές ΣΚΑ-Κορωπί & ΣΚΑ-Αεροδρόμιο προς Άνω Λιόσια|trans-title=Extension of service on the SKA-Koropi & SKA-Airport routes to Ano Liosia|url=http://www.trainose.gr/unassinged/δελτίο-τύπου-23-02-2018-επέκταση-δρομολογίων|website=TrainOSE|access-date=6 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228180428/http://www.trainose.gr/unassinged/δελτίο-τύπου-23-02-2018-επέκταση-δρομολογίων|archive-date=28 February 2018|location=Athens|language=el|date=23 February 2018}}

Route

Line A2 is an hourly service that runs between {{rws|Ano Liosia}} and {{stn|Athens Airport}}, along the median strip of the A6 and A64 motorways: additional rush hour trains terminate at {{stn|Paiania–Kantza}} instead of the Airport.{{cite web|last=Antoniou|first=George|title=Itineraries Piraeus-Athens-Airport|url=https://www.hellenictrain.gr/sites/default/files/2023-12/ΠΕΙΡΑΙΑΣ-ΑΘΗΝΑ-%20Α.%20ΛΙΟΣΙΑ-ΚΑΝΤΖΑ-ΑΕΡΟΔΡΟΜΙΟ_16.12.2023_v2.pdf|website=Hellenic Train|access-date=24 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119031839/https://www.hellenictrain.gr/sites/default/files/2023-12/ΠΕΙΡΑΙΑΣ-ΑΘΗΝΑ-%20Α.%20ΛΙΟΣΙΑ-ΚΑΝΤΖΑ-ΑΕΡΟΔΡΟΜΙΟ_16.12.2023_v2.pdf|archive-date=19 January 2024|location=Athens|language=Greek|date=13 December 2023}}
{{cite web|title=Itineraries Airport-Athens-Piraeus|url=https://www.hellenictrain.gr/sites/default/files/2023-12/ΑΕΡΟΔΡΟΜΙΟ-ΚΑΝΤΖΑ-Α.%20ΛΙΟΣΙΑ-ΑΘΗΝΑ-ΠΕΙΡΑΙΑΣ_16.12.2023.pdf|website=Hellenic Train|access-date=24 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119031902/https://www.hellenictrain.gr/sites/default/files/2023-12/ΑΕΡΟΔΡΟΜΙΟ-ΚΑΝΤΖΑ-Α.%20ΛΙΟΣΙΑ-ΑΘΗΝΑ-ΠΕΙΡΑΙΑΣ_16.12.2023.pdf|archive-date=19 January 2024|location=Athens|language=Greek|date=13 December 2023}}

Line A2 pratically reinforces parts of Line A1 and Athens Metro Line 3, from the Airport up to {{rws|Metamorfosi}} and {{stn|Pallini}} respectively. However, most Metro Line 3 trains start or terminate at {{stn|Doukissis Plakentias}} (an interchange with Lines A1 and A2 at Plakentias) with a through service to the Airport leaving {{stn|Piraeus}} once every 36 minutes.{{cite web|title=Timetable|url=https://stasy.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ΕΝ_ΠΙΝΑΚΕΣ-ΔΡΟΜΟΛΟΓΙΩΝ-ΑΕΡΟΔΡΟΜΙΟΥ_ΔΗΜ.-ΘΕΑΤΡΟ-ΠΡΟΣ-ΑΕΡΟΔΡΟΜΙΟ_17.10.22.pdf|website=STASY|access-date=21 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021191024/https://stasy.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ΕΝ_ΠΙΝΑΚΕΣ-ΔΡΟΜΟΛΟΓΙΩΝ-ΑΕΡΟΔΡΟΜΙΟΥ_ΔΗΜ.-ΘΕΑΤΡΟ-ΠΡΟΣ-ΑΕΡΟΔΡΟΜΙΟ_17.10.22.pdf|archive-date=21 October 2022|location=Athens|language=Greek|date=17 October 2022}}

Stations

The spelling of the station names on this table, in English and Greek, are according to the signage.

class="wikitable"

| style="background-color:#FFFFE6"|†

| Terminal station

style="background-color:#E6FFE6"|#

| Interchange station

class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%"

! style="min-width:105px;width:12.5%"|Station
{{small|English}}

! style="min-width:105px;width:12.5%"|Station
{{small|Greek}}

! Regional unit

! data-sort-type="date"|Opened

! style="width:35%" class="unsortable"|Interchanges and notes

! style="width:105px" class="unsortable"|Position

style="background-color:#FFFFE6"|{{rws|Ano Liosia}} †#

| style="background-color:#FFFFE6"|{{lang|el|Άνω Λιόσια}}

| West Attica

| 18 July 2006

| Interchange with Line A4.

This station opened after the extension to Corinth.

| {{coord|38.070695|23.710135|type:railwaystation_region:GR-I_scale:100000|name=Ano Liosia}}

scope=colgroup colspan=6|Line A2 does not stop at {{rws|Zefyri}}.
style="background-color:#E6FFE6"|Acharnes Railway Center #

| style="background-color:#E6FFE6"|{{lang|el|Σιδηροδρομικό Κέντρο Αχαρνών}}

| East Attica

| 5 April 2011{{cite web|title=Παραδίδεται στην κυκλοφορία το Συγκοινωνιακό Κέντρο Αχαρνών|url=http://www.athenstransport.com/2011/04/ska|website=Athens Transport|access-date=4 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111235908/http://www.athenstransport.com/2011/04/ska|archive-date=11 November 2013 |language=el|date=4 April 2011}}

| Interchange with Line A3, and Hellenic Train.

This station opened after the extension to Corinth.

| {{coord|38.065735|23.737165|type:railwaystation_region:GR-I_scale:100000|name=Acharnes Railway Center}}

style="background-color:#E6FFE6"|{{rws|Metamorfosi}} #

| style="background-color:#E6FFE6"|{{lang|el|Μεταμόρφωση}}

| North Athens

| 8 August 2010{{cite news|title=Δύο νέοι σταθμοί του Προαστιακού σε Μεταμόρφωση και Αγίους Αναργύρους|trans-title=Two new Suburban Railway stations in Metamorfosi and Agioi Anargyroi|url=https://www.protothema.gr/greece/article/76940/dyo-neoi-stathmoi-toy-proastiakoy-se-metamorfosh-kai-agioys-anargyroys|access-date=4 February 2025|work=Proto Thema|publisher=Tassos Karamitsos|date=8 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204194325/https://www.protothema.gr/greece/article/76940/dyo-neoi-stathmoi-toy-proastiakoy-se-metamorfosh-kai-agioys-anargyroys|archive-date=4 February 2025|location=Athens|language=el}}

| Interchange with Line A1 to {{stn|Piraeus}}.

This station opened after the original route.

| {{coord|38.060135|23.755730|type:railwaystation_region:GR-I_scale:100000|name=Metamorfosi}}

Iraklio

| {{lang|el|Ηράκλειο}}

| North Athens

| 30 July 2004{{cite news|last1=Chatziioannidou|first1=Efis|title=Και ο προαστιακός σιδηρόδρομος μπήκε σε τροχιά|trans-title=And the commuter rail gets on track|url=https://www.kathimerini.gr/society/190156/kai-o-proastiakos-sidirodromos-mpike-se-trochia|access-date=6 August 2024|work=Kathimerini|publisher=Kathimerini Publishing|date=31 July 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414060702/https://www.kathimerini.gr/society/190156/kai-o-proastiakos-sidirodromos-mpike-se-trochia|archive-date=14 April 2021|location=Athens|language=el}}

|

| {{coord|38.057155|23.771350|type:railwaystation_region:GR-I_scale:100000|name=Iraklio}}

style="background-color:#E6FFE6"|{{stn|Neratziotissa}}{{efn|Nerantziotissa is signed as "Nerantziotissa" ({{langx|el|Nerantziotissa}}) on the Athens Metro.{{cite web|title=3 εικόνες ντροπής από το σταθμό Νερατζιώτισσα του Προαστιακού|trans-title=3 images of shame from the Neratziotissa Suburban station|url=https://www.athenstransport.com/2019/01/neratziotissa-stathmos/|website=Athens Transport|access-date=18 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018144111/https://www.athenstransport.com/2019/01/neratziotissa-stathmos/|archive-date=18 October 2022|language=Greek|date=15 January 2019}}}} #

| style="background-color:#E6FFE6"|{{lang|el|Νερατζιώτισσα}}

| North Athens

| 6 August 2004{{cite web|title=Δελτία Τύπου & Ανακοινώσεις|trans-title=Press Releases & Announcements|url=http://www.isap.gr/press_inside.asp?id=2|website=Athens Piraeus Electric Railways|access-date=18 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041010112213/http://www.isap.gr/press_inside.asp?id=2|archive-date=10 October 2004|location=Athens|language=Greek|date=5 August 2004|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Οι ολυμπιακές συγκοινωνίες της Αθήνας του 2004|trans-title=Athens 2004 Olympic transport|url=https://www.athenstransport.com/2019/08/sygkoinonies-2004/|website=Athens Transport|access-date=18 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018160207/https://www.athenstransport.com/2019/08/sygkoinonies-2004/|archive-date=18 October 2022|language=Greek|date=13 August 2019}}

| Interchange with Athens Metro Line 1.

This station opened after the original route.

| {{coord|38.045120|23.792945|type:railwaystation_region:GR-I_scale:100000|name=Neratziotissa}}

{{rws|Kifisias}}

| {{lang|el|Κηφισίας}}

| North Athens

| 30 July 2004

|

| {{coord|38.042100|23.803465|type:railwaystation_region:GR-I_scale:100000|name=Kifisias}}

{{rws|Pentelis}}

| {{lang|el|Πεντέλης}}

| North Athens

| 21 February 2007{{cite news|title=Ανοιξε ο σταθμός του Προαστιακού στην Πεντέλη|trans-title=The Suburban Railway station in Penteli has opened|url=https://www.in.gr/2007/02/21/greece/anoikse-o-stathmos-toy-proastiakoy-stin-penteli|access-date=4 February 2025|work=in.gr|publisher=Alter Ego Media|date=21 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204193341/https://www.in.gr/2007/02/21/greece/anoikse-o-stathmos-toy-proastiakoy-stin-penteli|archive-date=4 February 2025|location=Athens|language=el}}

| This station opened after the original route.

| {{coord|38.033460|23.821965|type:railwaystation_region:GR-I_scale:100000|name=Pentelis}}

style="background-color:#E6FFE6"|Plakentias{{efn|Plakentias is signed as "Doukissis Plakentias" ({{langx|el|Δουκίσσης Πλακεντίας}}) on the Athens Metro.}} #

| style="background-color:#E6FFE6"|{{lang|el|Πλακεντίας}}

| North Athens

| 30 July 2004

| Interchange with Athens Metro Line 3 at Doukissis Plakentias.

| {{coord|38.024720|23.833910|type:railwaystation_region:GR-I_scale:100000|name=Plakentias}}

{{stn|Pallini}}

| {{lang|el|Παλλήνη}}

| East Attica

| 30 July 2004

|

| {{coord|38.005100|23.869825|type:railwaystation_region:GR-I_scale:100000|name=Pallini}}

{{stn|Paiania–Kantza}}

| {{lang|el|Παιανία - Κάντζα}}

| East Attica

| 30 July 2004

|

| {{coord|37.984485|23.870020|type:railwaystation_region:GR-I_scale:100000|name=Paiania–Kantza}}

{{stn|Koropi}}

| {{lang|el|Κορωπί}}

| East Attica

| 30 July 2004

|

| {{coord|37.912860|23.895860|type:railwaystation_region:GR-I_scale:100000|name=Koropi}}

style="background-color:#FFFFE6"|Athens International Airport 

| style="background-color:#FFFFE6"|{{lang|el|Διεθνής Αερολιμένας Αθηνών}}

| East Attica

| 30 July 2004

| This station is operated by Athens International Airport S.A.

| {{coord|37.936890|23.944700|type:railwaystation_region:GR-I_scale:100000|name=Athens International Airport}}

See also

Notes

{{notelist}}

References