No respite from the heat for commuters on older trains just yet

Commuters in Athens continue to face sweltering conditions during summer months due to the lack of air-conditioning in the city’s oldest metro trains. The issue persists despite recent efforts by the rail transport company STASY to address passenger concerns through a planned modernization initiative. These older trains, part of the first generation deployed on Lines 2 and 3, remain without climate control systems, leading to uncomfortable travel experiences, especially during peak hours and high temperatures. The first-generation trains, which began operations over two decades ago, are currently the only ones in the STASY fleet lacking air-conditioning within their passenger compartments. As of now, a total of 28 first-generation trains are active, with 20 of them serving Lines 2 and 3. Four of these trains have already been retired, while another four have been transferred to ISAP to support Line 1. Despite this reduction, the remaining trains still operate without cooling systems, forcing passengers to endure extreme heat during long commutes. Katerina P., a daily commuter traveling between Syntagma and Doukissis Plakentias stations, described her experience aboard one of these trains during a particularly hot afternoon. She noted that the carriage was packed, making the situation even more unbearable. “The afternoon I came across such a train, the situation was unbearable, since the carriages were full,” she told Kathimerini. Her account highlights the ongoing challenges faced by regular users of the metro system, many of whom rely on these routes for work and daily errands. To improve conditions, STASY has launched a tender aimed at upgrading 12 of the first-generation trains with air-conditioning, as well as equipping them with additional safety features such as closed-circuit monitors, new screens, and updated passenger information signage. This initial phase of the project includes four stationary trains that are currently not in service, allowing for more efficient upgrades. The estimated cost of the entire project is €109 million, with funding sourced from the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) Transport 2021–2027 program. The tender process is expected to conclude by the end of the year, following which the selected contractors will begin implementing the upgrades. If all proceeds smoothly, the project will take approximately three years to complete, with the first upgraded trains likely entering service in 2028. Gradual deployment is anticipated, ensuring that the improvements can be rolled out systematically across the affected fleet. While the timeline offers hope for improved comfort, the delay means that commuters must continue enduring the heat for several more years. With rising summer temperatures becoming increasingly common, the need for air-conditioned public transportation has grown more urgent. The upcoming upgrades represent a step toward addressing long-standing complaints, though the full realization of this plan will depend on the successful execution of the tender and subsequent implementation phases.