“On yet another challenging day for drivers in the basin, today’s traffic on the central roads of Attica turned red once again”. “Since the morning, Kifissos was impassable in both directions, while there was heavy traffic on Mesogeion Avenue and Kifissias Avenue”. “The same situation prevailed on the Attiki Odos from Metamorfosi to Gerakas.” These headlines are written daily, especially in the early days of 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. The demand for travel increases, causing congestion. The bigger problem is not so 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, with the passing of years, we will have an increased demand for transportation and conditions on the roads will be as if it were Christmas all year round, with so many cars on the road. We expect from all our measurements and estimates that congestion will worsen in Athens in the coming years because people’s desire for movement is constantly increasing. Unfortunately, we cannot all fit to commute with private cars, so congestion is created. The only solution that effectively works throughout Europe, which can somewhat alleviate the situation, not for private cars but for commuters, is Public Transport. There is no better service anywhere in the world. Traffic, as we know, balances everywhere in congestion, but there will be no good service with private cars. On the contrary, there are great possibilities for faster transportation 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 missed the train
Throughout Europe, during the pandemic, there was a reduction in road lanes and the introduction of bike lanes or pedestrian paths. Athens tried to expand the pedestrian area on a street and the public, politicians, and citizens 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 commuters 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 allocate space and lanes to Public Transportation, the same buses can make double the trips.
Interview on the television show Kontra News on the KontraChannel tv station in December 2023
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