Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-06-16

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Venizelos on presidential elections

[02] Transport minister announces reduction of public transport ticket and monthly pass

[01] Venizelos on presidential elections

In relation to that, Venizelos noted according to party sources, the Greek President's election is one of the most crucial issues as it determines the stability of the country and the course of its governance.

The government's four-year term should be concluded and the effort should go all the way to 2016, when the programme is completed, Venizelos stressed and added that the issue of the Greek President's elections is not about persons but the parties and deputies' obligation for stability.

According to the same sources, Venizelos criticized main opposition SYRIZA of having a "civil war rationale" and its leader Alexis Tsipras of touring Europe to conduct a European campaign against the country.

He reiterated that PASOK – following the message of the elections in Greece and Europe and the government's reshuffle – is the one that assures a progressive orientation, the one that has promoted central pillars, such as reforms, growth, liquidity and employment and that PASOK wishes to express the national unity and reunite the nation. He underlined that the main objectives are maintained, which among others are concession, a national debt negotiation group, the implementation of five points, the support of the real economy, social issues, entrepreneurship and liquidity.

Regarding the negotiations with the troika, Venizelos said, according to the same sources, that the issues of mobility fall within the wider context of talks and negotiations with the troika, which related to debt sustainability as well as fiscal and other issues that could be raised again.

He also noted that "we are not denying the memorandum obligations we have signed to date, but at the same time we must improve the course of things when they don't bring any results" citing the example of companies' social insurance contributions.

He said that the fact that targets are being accomplished does not rule out problems and added that this meant the effort should be completed unhindered.

Regarding the role of PASOK's government officials, he said there should be coordination and pointed out that they are not simply ministers or deputy ministers but they also represent the party.

[02] Transport minister announces reduction of public transport ticket and monthly pass

According to the minister, the monthly pass price will be reduced to 30 euros from 45 euros currently, while ordinary fare will cost 1.20 euros from 1.40 euros and will be valid for 70 minutes instead of 1.5 hours.

Moreover, the 20-euro monthly pass exclusively for buses and trolley buses will be no longer available and commuters will have to use the 30-euro integrated card.

"A year ago, the increase of the ticket price was an obligation under the memorandum; nevertheless, today we decided to change public transport as well as tariff policy. It's an act of responsibility," the minister said.

"Despite the fact we expect these decisions to result in an annual 10 million euro decrease of revenues, we expect an increase of passenger traffic which will compensate for any revenue losses," he noted.

He also made clear the government would not consider recalling its decision. "This is not just a decrease, it is an integrated intervention; an intervention that paves the way. We need to radically change the way public administration works," he said.

He also said that ticket inspections would be reinforced, which coupled with the introduction of electronic ticket in two years, would help reduce the number of fare-dodgers. The Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) will also launch a mobile application, which will enable passengers buy tickets using their mobile phones, while tickets will be available at 5,000 sales points. Moreover, OASA will design its corporate identity in order to regain the public's trust.

The head of OASA Gregory Dimitriadis pointed out that the aim is to make public transport the top choice for moving around Athens and promote combined transport. According to OASA, 636 million passengers use public transport each year, while on a daily basis there are 1 million single passengers. In the first quarter of 2014, the company saw its revenues rise by 6.3 million euros from cards and tickets compared to the same period of 2013. "This is not circumstantial and it marks the coming back of citizens to public transport," Dimitriadis said.

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