What Is Risk Analysis in the Context of Travel and Mobility Events
Travel and mobility risk analysis examines disruptions to urban and intercity transportation systems and their cascading impacts on economic productivity, safety, and infrastructure resilience. In Thessaloniki, metro network suspensions—whether due to maintenance or expansion—have historically triggered widespread commuting challenges. Such disruptions, though planned, often extend beyond initial schedules, intensifying pressure on road networks and alternative public transport providers like OASTH. The recent suspension reflects an infrastructure development phase essential for long-term capacity enhancement but poses short-term operational and socioeconomic risks.
Executive Summary
- Date of Event: 10 November 2025
- Location: Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
- Risk Category: Travel Risks
- Severity Score: 4 / 5
- Confidence Level: 95 %
Thessaloniki Metro services will be fully suspended from 10 November for around one month to facilitate the Kalamaria line extension. All stations from the New Railway Station to Nea Elvetia will remain closed, redirecting passengers to the OASTH urban bus network. Severe road congestion and extended commute times are expected across central districts. Past disruptions of similar nature indicate potential for schedule overruns of 10–15 days. The event will cause notable travel inconvenience, business slowdowns, and elevated logistical costs.
Known Hotspots and Sensitive Areas
- High Impact: City center (Aristotelous Square, Egnatia Street), Kalamaria municipality, and New Railway Station.
- Medium Impact: University district, Nea Elvetia, and commercial corridors.
- Low Impact: Peripheral districts with limited metro dependence.
Historical analysis shows the city center repeatedly experiences peak congestion and crowding during metro closures.
Impact on Transportation and Services
The metro shutdown removes a key high-capacity commuter option, shifting demand to road-based systems. Bus routes operated by OASTH will face saturation, leading to longer wait times and reliability issues. Increased use of private vehicles and taxis will exacerbate congestion on Egnatia, Tsimiski, and Agiou Dimitriou Streets. Businesses dependent on timely staff and customer movement, particularly retail and hospitality sectors, will experience delays and reduced footfall. Supply chain activities within the urban core may slow due to traffic density and delivery delays.
Recommended Actions
- Activate workforce mobility contingencies—remote or staggered work schedules for Thessaloniki-based employees.
- Review and adjust delivery routes; engage third-party couriers for critical logistics.
- Communicate with clients and partners regarding possible delays, shift to virtual meetings where feasible.
- Disseminate daily internal updates on transport changes and emergency procedures.
- Coordinate with local authorities and OASTH for official travel advisories.
Multidimensional Impact
The suspension coincides with severe weather forecasts for Thessaloniki and potential protest activity on 11 November, compounding road congestion and safety risks. Environmental impact includes higher emissions from increased vehicle use. Public frustration may rise if the closure extends beyond December.
Emergency Contacts
- Police / Fire / Ambulance / National Emergency: 112
- OASTH (Bus Authority): +30 2310 981 100
- Municipality of Thessaloniki: thessaloniki.gr
- Hellenic Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport: yme.gov.gr
Final Thoughts
The Thessaloniki Metro suspension is a high severity but planned mobility disruption. Effective contingency planning—remote work, optimized logistics, and proactive communication—will minimize business and operational impacts. Continuous monitoring through local advisories and platforms such as MitKat’s Datasurfr is recommended for situational awareness and adaptive response management. Stay ahead of operational risks with real-time alerts, scenario modeling, and expert advisories with datasurfr’s Predict. Start your 14-day free trial of Datasurfr’s Risk Intelligence Platform today.