Public transport walkouts put more cars on city roads
Athens metro workers called off a 24-hour strike scheduled for Thursday late last night but refused to bow on a walkout planned to begin after 9 p.m. tomorrow, sowing confusion among commuters who will be forced to seek other travel options, Kathimerini understands.
Metro staff have held several strikes and walkouts in recent weeks over a series of gripes.
They object to plans to include transport organizations in a state asset utilization fund and have been demanding retroactive payment of higher social security contributions for people with jobs categorized as potentially hazardous for the 2001-11 period.
The upheaval has led to an increase in vehicles on the roads, Kathimerini understands, as city dwellers are increasingly resorting to using their cars.
The turmoil comes as authorities scramble to complete Athens public transport services’ changeover to an electronic ticketing system. The old paper tickets are due to be discontinued tomorrow.
