Thessaloniki Metro Kalamaria extension opens with Hitachi Rail driverless signalling technology

The Kalamaria extension of the Thessaloniki Metro has entered passenger service, expanding Greece’s first fully automated, driverless metro network and improving connections across the greater Thessaloniki area.

The 4.8km underground extension branches from the existing line at 25 Martiou and adds five stations: Nomarchia, Kalamaria, Aretsou, Nea Krini and Mikra. The new section extends metro access to residential and commercial districts while supporting wider efforts to encourage public transport use.

CBTC supports driverless operations

Hitachi Rail supplied Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling technology for the extension, enabling Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) operations. The system supports fully automated, driverless services while providing the signalling capabilities required for reliable and safe metro operations.

The Kalamaria project builds on the existing Thessaloniki Metro, which comprises a 9.6km underground line with 13 stations between New Railway Station and Nea Elvetia. The original network was delivered through the AIASA joint venture involving Aktor, Webuild and Hitachi Rail.

For the extension, Hitachi Rail worked in a joint venture with Aktor, providing signalling that integrates with the existing metro infrastructure. This approach allows the new section to operate as part of the wider network while maintaining consistency for passengers.

The opening represents another stage in the development of Thessaloniki’s metro system, extending the benefits of automated rail beyond the existing route.

A Hitachi Rail spokesperson said the opening marked an important milestone for urban mobility in Thessaloniki, with the company’s CBTC technology supporting expansion of a fully automated network.

The extension is also expected to improve accessibility to key areas of the city and provide an alternative to road-based travel. By increasing the reach of the metro, the project is intended to encourage greater public transport use, reduce pressure on roads and contribute to lower transport emissions.

The project reflects the increasing role of digital signalling in metro development, particularly as cities seek to increase capacity and operational efficiency while maintaining safe and reliable services.

With the Kalamaria extension now in operation, Thessaloniki has expanded its automated metro network while creating new connections for communities across the city. The project demonstrates how new infrastructure can be integrated with an existing driverless railway to extend its reach without changing the underlying operating model.