Notabilia

Transportation

The Trams

Athens-Piraeus History

Back to where you came from. The same text in Greek.

In 1882, a separate company (EETAPP {ΕΕΤΑΠΠ}) was founded in cooperation with the Belgians, and develops an extended tram network, which is driven by horses and links the Athens [Place Names] centre, with the then suburbs (Patisia {Πατήσια}, Ambelokipi {Αμπελόκηποι} [Buildings], Kolokinthou {Κολοκυνθού}) and Omonias Square {Πλατεία Ομονοίας} [Contents] with Zappion {Ζάππειον}, Gkazi {Γκάζι} and Keramikos {Κεραμεικός}.

Soon after that, the horse driven tram of Piraeus will start operating, run by S.A.P. {Σ.Α.Π.} (Athens-Piraeus Railways {Σιδηρόδρομοι Αθηνών-Πειραιώς}), which will link the railway station, with the Customs House [The Cowboy]. All these lines will be converted later for steam driven and electric driven trams.

In 1885, the first train service to Kifisia {Κηφισιά} takes place by the "Therion" {Θηρίον} [Contents], whilst in 1887 the "Kolosourtis" {Κωλοσούρτης} [Chronicle] makes its appearance.

In 1910 the "Kolosourtis" discontinues its service as all EETAPP tram lines (16 in Athens and 5 in Piraeus) have been electrified. S.A.P. want to enhance their own trams in the Piraeus coast (Electric Railway Terminus-Customs House), so that it can they can carry merchandise, but this plan does not materialize due to the reaction of the wagoners and the redcaps.

In 1936, the Perama {Πέραμα} train [The Beginning] commences operating and in 1938, "Therion" discontinues its service.

In the dawn of November 16th, 1953, following an initiative of the Minister of Public Works, Konstantinos Karamanlis, commences the removal of the tram lines in Panepistimiou Street.

(A note from the authors of the page: It is worthy of reminding that the long-time now deceased Konstantinos Karamanlis, who had served for many years as Minister, Prime Minister and President of the Greek Republic, and is commonly referred to as Ethnarch, in September 2003, was honored by the European Union, for his European vision.)

1960, was the year of the complete removal of tram lines.

This is the outcome of a course towards the empowerment of the bus owners (the "propertied classes" at that time) and the automobile owners, who found annoying the "slow" trams. This course had begun with the removal of the tram lines in Panepistimiou {Πανεπιστημίου} street, at the dawn of November 16th, 1953, with the initiative of the Minister of Public Works, Konstantinos Karamanlis {Κωνσταντίνος Καραμανλής}.

Yellow and green trams, one after the other, bid their final farewell to the streets of Athens and Piraeus. During their 52 years of service, they had transported 3 billion passengers, thus organizing the life of the city.

In 1960, E.I.S. {Ε.Η.Σ.} (Hellenic Electric Railways {Ελληνικοί Ηλεκτρικοί Σιδηρόδρομοι}, later renamed I.S.A.P. {Η.Σ.Α.Π.}, Athens-Piraeus Electric Railways {Ηλεκτρικοί Σιδηρόδρομοι Αθηνών Πειραιώς}) submit a study for the extension of the electric railway from Iraklio {Ηράκλειο} to Halandri {Χαλάνδρι} and Gerakas {Γέρακας}, which is still on paper.

In 1977, the last tram is removed from the lines, the one servicing the Piraeus-Perama {Πειραιάς-Πέραμα} [The End] line.

Source: Eleftherotipia The link opens in a new window. {Ελευθεροτυπία} Newspaper, Featured Article: The History Of The Railway, Saturday, July 3rd, 1999.

11-30-2003