2024-09-07 17:26:30
The political leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport “cut” the first single electronic tickets for Thessaloniki’s Public Transport today at the International Exhibition of Thessaloniki.
The development marks the countdown to the implementation of the single electronic ticket, which is expected to bring a new era to the transport map of the co-capital, promoting telematics and the overall digital transformation of mass transport.
At the stand of the Thessaloniki Transport Project Organization (OSETH) at TEF, Minister Christos Staikouras, Deputy Ministers Nikos Tachiaos and Vassilis Oikonomou and the General Secretary of Transport Despina Paliaroutas, saw in practice the operation of the new state-of-the-art digital system, which was implemented by a joint venture under the Group of GEK TERNA.
The political leadership of YPOME, accompanied by the President of OSETH Yiannis Kalogeroudis, the Managing Director of OSETH Yiannis Toskas, the President and CEO of OATH Konstantinos Tangiris, as well as the Vice-President and CEO of HELLENIC METRO Nikos Kouretas, attended a demonstration of the system of the single electronic ticket, which was sealed by the issuance of the first single electronic ticket for the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Mr. Christos Staikouras.
ThessTicket και ThessCard
The new automated fare collection system, which includes both the “ThessTicket” electronic ticket and the “ThessCard” unlimited travel card, is now on its final stretch, as the installation of the equipment in Thessaloniki’s Public Transport and the related tests are proceeding at an intensive pace .
It is worth noting that under the auspices of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the involved bodies are in close cooperation, in order to win the bet of the inclusion of the Metro on the single electronic ticket platform until the milestone of November 30, when the operation of the Metro is expected in Thessaloniki.
The advantages of using the new system include the ability to supply, charge/recharge cards and smart tickets from multiple networks, an integrated passenger public information platform for the arrival of routes, available fares, as well as the various actions that will be organized by the Operator, the improvement in the execution of the itineraries and the faster boarding of the passengers resulting in the reduction of the operating expenses of the Operating Agency.
Finally, a reduction in ticket evasion and illegal boarding is foreseen as there will be control gates in the metro.
Mobile app too
The automatic fare collection machines inside the vehicles will only accept electronic transactions via bank cards, while at the rest of the points of sale transactions can also be made with coins and banknotes. Vending machines will be scattered throughout the municipalities of the urban complex and in key locations such as the airport and metro terminals.
Also, an application is being prepared for mobile phones to further facilitate the passenger public in terms of purchasing a ticket.