Thessaloniki Workshop with Local Stakeholders. June 19th, 2025
Not even the time to wrap up the UITP Summit in Hamburg, and our project is already heading to sunny Greece in Thessaloniki for this insightful workshop, organized by the Hellenic Institute of Transport , in close cooperation with the Thessaloniki Transport Authority (TheTA). 🇩🇪 🇬🇷
A vital opportunity for all local stakeholders to actively engage in the dialogue and contribute to the development of a more efficient and sustainable public transport system for Thessaloniki. The event will then bring together leading stakeholders and companies, such as the Municipality of Thessaloniki, MDAT S.A., OASTH, Intrakat, Parkpal, Brainbox, Lime, Thessbike, and HOP. An interactive discussion will follow, focusing on key topics such as the redesign study of Egnatia Street based on SUMP proposals, the platform for planning and pricing of shared mobility systems, the impact assessment of changes in controlled parking fees, as well as the energy consumption analysis of electric city buses under special conditions.
The event opened with a welcoming address and an introductory presentation by Georgia Ayfadopoulou, Research Director at CERTH/HIT. She outlined the goals and progress of the UPPER project, emphasizing its mission to revolutionize public transportation in Europe and its application within Thessaloniki. Next, Ioannis Toskas, CEO of the Thessaloniki Transport Authority (TheTA), delivered a keynote presentation that focused on the strategic significance of the UPPER project within the evolving public transport landscape of Thessaloniki. He outlined how the project aligns with the city's broader transport vision and supports the transition toward a more sustainable, multimodal, and user-friendly public transport network. The workshop then moved into a series of technical presentations and interactive discussions. Evangelos Mintsis shared the results of a study focused on the redesign of Egnatia Street, based on proposals developed through the city's Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP). His presentation examined how the proposed changes could improve accessibility, safety, and integration with other transport modes. Andreas Nikiforiadis followed with a live demonstration of a new digital platform aimed at supporting the planning and pricing strategies for shared mobility services. Later in the workshop, he presented findings from a study on the effects of changing pricing structures in Thessaloniki’s controlled parking zones. His analysis provided insights into how pricing adjustments could influence user behavior and support emission reduction goals. To conclude the workshop, Annie Kortsari presented research on the energy consumption of electric urban buses operating under varying real-world conditions. Her presentation highlighted opportunities to optimize vehicle performance and reduce energy usage, supporting Thessaloniki’s shift toward low-emission transport solutions. Throughout the workshop, representatives from public authorities, transport operators, and private companies actively participated in discussions, reflecting the collaborative nature of the UPPER project. The meeting concluded with a brief session outlining the project’s next steps and reaffirming the shared commitment to a cleaner, more efficient urban transport system for Thessaloniki.
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