In a recent statement, Stavros Manikas, a transport worker adn board member of the OASA Trade Union, emphasized the critical importance of public urban transportation as a essential right for all citizens. He highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by transport workers, who endure challenging conditions while advocating for safe and accessible transit options. Manikas criticized the privatization trends that have led to a significant decline in public transport resources,noting that the number of operational buses has plummeted from 2,200 to just 900 since the implementation of austerity measures. He called for a collective movement to reclaim public transport from profit-driven motives, urging for nationalization without compensation to ensure that transportation serves the public good rather than corporate interests.
Q&A: Reclaiming Public Transport as a Right
Editor, Time.news: Today, we have the privilege of discussing urban transportation issues with Stavros Manikas, a dedicated transport worker and board member of the OASA Trade Union. Stavros, your recent statement emphasized the importance of public urban transport as an essential right for all citizens. Can you elaborate on what you mean by this?
Stavros Manikas: Absolutely. Public urban transportation is the backbone of our cities. It ensures that everyone,irrespective of their economic status,has access to mobility. It is crucial for connecting communities, providing access to jobs, education, and healthcare. However,the ongoing struggles,especially in Athens,illustrate the critical imbalance arising from profit-driven motives that prioritize corporate interests over public needs.
Editor: That’s a compelling point. you mentioned the difficult conditions transport workers are facing. what kinds of challenges do they encounter daily,and how do these affect service quality?
Stavros Manikas: The challenges are multifaceted. Transport workers deal with overcrowded buses and lengthy shifts, which can often lead to burnout, affecting both worker well-being and service reliability. Furthermore, austerity measures have drastically cut resources—operational buses have decreased from 2,200 to just 900. This decline in equipment and investment creates an habitat where providing safe and reliable transport becomes nearly unachievable.
Editor: Speaking of austerity, you’ve criticized privatization trends in the public transport sector. How do these trends contribute to the issues you’ve raised?
Stavros Manikas: Privatization has led to a meaningful reduction in funding and a focus on profit rather than public service.This shift has decreased the quality of service and accessibility. A public transport system should be responsive to community needs, but profit-driven models often prioritize routes that are most lucrative, sidelining underserved areas. Our aim should be nationalization without compensation to realign transport systems to serve the public good.
Editor: That raises an vital question about the future of urban transport. With your call for nationalization, how do you envision a collective movement that reclaims public transport?
Stavros Manikas: A collective movement requires collaboration and solidarity among workers, community members, and stakeholders who value equitable urban transport. This movement aims to advocate for policies that prioritize public transport investment and improvement,ensuring that decisions are made for the benefit of citizens,not shareholders. Mobilizing the community to voice their needs and concerns will be key in driving this change.
Editor: What advice would you give to citizens who want to support this cause? How can they contribute to this collective movement?
Stavros Manikas: I encourage citizens to engage with local transport issues, participate in community meetings, and support initiatives that advocate for public transport rights. It’s important for people to understand the impact of transport on their daily lives and to express their needs to decision-makers. Advocacy can take many forms—from joining protests to simply spreading awareness about the importance of public transport as a right.
Editor: Thank you, Stavros, for sharing these insights. Your expertise highlights the vital nature of public urban transportation and the urgent need for structural changes that prioritize people over profit.
Stavros Manikas: Thank you for having me. Let’s keep the conversation going and work towards a more equitable public transport system for all.
this discussion showcases vital issues surrounding public urban transport, specifically the implications of privatization, the decline in service quality, and the critical need for community engagement to advocate for transportation that serves the public good.