“On yet another challenging day for drivers in Athens, today’s traffic on the central roads of Attica turned red once again”. “Since this morning, Kifissos was impassable in both directions, while there was heavy traffic on Mesogeion Avenue and Kifissias Avenue”. “The same situation prevailed at Attiki Odos from Metamorfosi to Gerakas. These headlines are written daily, especially during December.”
Christmas and, in general, December, always bring more congestion and increased traffic both in Athens and in most European cities. The cold weather, combined with the festive atmosphere, leads to heightened activities. Travel demand increases, causing congestion. The bigger problem is not that much this, but the fact that if we don’t do something in the coming years, these days of congestion will become a daily reality throughout the year.
In particular, every year, we will have an increased travel demand and traffic conditions will be as if it were Christmas all year round, with so many cars on the roads. We expect from all our measurements and estimates that congestion will worsen in Athens in the coming years because people’s travelling needs are constantly increasing. Unfortunately, we cannot fit to commute altogether with private cars, so congestion is mounting. The only solution that effectively works throughout Europe, which can somewhat alleviate the situation, not for private cars but for travellers, is Public Transport. There is no better service anywhere in the world. The point of traffic balance, as we know, is always and everywhere in congestion, so good service for private cars can never happen. On the contrary, there are great possibilities for faster travelling with Public Transport, provided they are given priority.
Going through a pandemic, many considered it as an opportunity to do things differently and achieve certain goals. One of these goals was related to transportation and Public Transport and much was discussed about whether we missed the train during that period.
We clearly missed the train
Throughout Europe, during the pandemic, there was a reduction in car lanes and the introduction of bike lanes or pedestrian paths. Athens tried to expand the pedestrian area on a main street and both the public and the politicians revolted. We are completely moving in the opposite direction from where we should be going. This is because we’ve allowed Athens and all the municipalities in Attica to have private cars circulating freely and parking anywhere. This means that we constantly attract more private cars.
The solution is to dramatically reduce parking availability in all central areas, preventing private cars from approaching the center and instead travellers should use Public Transportation. It is a missed opportunity and we continue to move in the opposite direction. The debate centred on private cars is wrong. On the other hand, the discussion should focus on why we don’t have fast and attractive Public Transportation. Private cars will never fully serve because congestion will always exist. If we re-allocate space and traffic lanes to Public Transport, the same buses can make double trips.
Interview on the television show Kontra News on the KontraChannel tv station in December 2023
