Public transport

All license plates that had been removed from vehicles - regardless of infringement - are being returned by the Thessaloniki Municipal Police, due to the complications created by the coronavirus outbreak.

Authorities said the measure is being implemented in order to prevent overcrowding on public transport but also to facilitate any necessary transport movements.

Luxembourg becomes the first country in the world where public transport will be free of charge. The measure enters into force on March 1 and aims to encourage people to give up their cars. The use of buses, trams and trains will be free of charge.

Trains and the suburban railway will not participate in a 24-hour strike of employees in public transport on Tuesday, called in protest at the government's social security bill.

The planned full-day strike in the tram, metro, ISAP railway, trolley or bus service is expected to cause major traffic in Athens.

The Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) is planning to use 600,000 euros of European Union funding to improve accessibility on the Greek capital's buses and trolley buses.

According to an announcement, the money will be used to equip 190 bus and trolley bus stops with platforms that will allow wheelchair users to board and disembark from the vehicles without assistance.

Inspections are being increased on buses and trolley-buses in an attempt by the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) to boost revenues as transport authority data suggest that one in 20 people commute without a ticket.
Similar inspections are also being stepped up at Athens metro and ISAP electric railway stations to crack down on fare dodgers.

Free metro tickets for Rome residents in exchange for plastic bottles. This is part of the plan to make the city more environmentally friendly.

A 24-hour strike for transport workers began in Greece. The protest was organized by private sector unions. No ships and ferries, subways and trains will work.

It will affect the operation of part of the metro lines in the capital Athens. They also stop trams, buses and city rail.

Sailors and port officials are also on strike. Ferries and cargo ships will not move and ports are closed.

The railway staff will be on strike in 24 hours, but their protest will start on Thursday morning.

The previous government's social policy with regard to public transport has created a gaping hole in the revenues of the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA).

According to reports, the shortfall came about because of the free transport offered by the SYRIZA-led government to metro commuters in 2015, when capital controls were introduced.

Bulgarians were blocked at the Frankfurt airport for more than 24 hours. According to them, the cause of the incident is the large queues on checkout counters, Dilyan Kalchev from NOVA TV reported.

"The group was made up of about 35 people, including people with small children and people who had surgery recently," said on of the affected people, Daniel Bratanov.