Athens to See 1,673 New Buses by 2028 in Major Fleet Overhaul
Athens, May 9, 2026 – The public road transport system in Athens is undergoing a substantial transformation, with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport announcing plans to integrate 1,673 new buses into its active fleet by 2028. This ambitious project aims to significantly modernize the city’s bus services, ensuring a more efficient and environmentally friendly public transportation network.
Structural Upgrade with Secured Funding
Sources from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport emphasize that this is a structural upgrade of the transport system, backed by a clear timeline and secured funding. The total active fleet is projected to exceed 2,000 vehicles by 2028, with approximately 1,700 of these being brand new.
Currently, around 1,250 vehicles operate across the network, of which 871 are already new. The upcoming month will see an additional 205 new vehicles join the fleet, including 125 electric buses, 13 CNG IVECO models, and 67 CNG Menarini buses. This will bring the total number of new vehicles to 1,076.
Phased Introduction and Environmental Focus
This enhancement is not an isolated effort but a core component of the Ministry’s broader strategy to renew the entire bus fleet. By the end of 2026, an additional 201 new vehicles are expected to be introduced, comprising 120 electric buses via leasing and 81 buses from private operators, alongside the concession of 12 additional suburban routes. Concurrently, all older Euro 2 technology vehicles will be retired. As a result, the number of new vehicles will reach 1,277 by the end of this year.
Funding for Future Acquisitions
Further fleet renewal is planned for the next two years, with an additional 396 modern vehicles to be acquired through a combination of European and national funding sources. These include the NSRF, the Modernization Fund, and the Social Climate Fund, with total resources exceeding 290 million euros. Specifically:
- 130 vehicles via NSRF, with a budget of 108 million euros.
- 150 vehicles via the Modernization Fund, with a budget of 96 million euros.
- 116 vehicles via the Social Climate Fund, with a budget of 86 million euros.
Upon the completion of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s plan, the total active fleet in 2028 will consist of 2,000 vehicles, with 1,673 of them being new. This marks a comprehensive upgrade of the fleet, with a strong emphasis on electromobility, reducing the environmental footprint, and improving daily services for citizens, according to ministry sources.
Source: Ministry of Transport/APE
