KTEL

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The KTEL bus station in Pyrgos (2007)
Parcel loading on a KTEL bus

KTEL (KTEL SA in Greek ΚΤΕΛ Α.Ε. ) is an association of regional cooperatives that operate the long-distance bus network in Greece . There are currently 53 companies with around 4,000 buses. They cover 80% of the passenger traffic.

KTEL is the abbreviation for Kiná Tamía Ispráxeon Leoforíon (Κοινά Ταμεία Εισπράξεων Λεωφορείων, common income fund of the bus lines ).

Similar to the Israeli Egged , it has almost a monopoly position. Discussions are being made to abolish the status of the KTEL in order to allow more competition.

The buses also transport parcels and mail to a small extent, especially in remote regions, and ferries are also used. In small towns and in the country, the KTEL also handles the local regular services. In tourist regions, individual KTEL companies also offer day tours.

Originally, the KTEL had a standard fleet of Mercedes buses that were manufactured by Biamax . Since the abolition of import tariffs in the early 1990s, the various cooperatives have also used other types. The KTEL buses are usually painted in a turquoise-cream color; Exceptions are the buses of KTEL Thessaloniki , which use an orange-cream-colored paint.

There are two KTEL bus stations in Athens , on Kifissou Avenue and Liossion Avenue.

history

The first intercity buses went into service in Greece in 1896. With 14 seats, they replaced older vehicles that only had seven seats. Each bus was registered as a separate company. The organizing KTEL won a tender in 1912 to be allowed to operate the nationwide bus service, which was confirmed in 1925. In 1939 the number of buses was 1635. During the Second World War , all buses were confiscated and used to transport troops to the front in Albania, only a few of them returned.

In 1952 there was practically a new establishment with 104 local KTEL cooperatives which had 3311 mostly new buses. In 1984 the monopoly of the KTEL in the metropolitan areas was lifted. In 2003 the KTEL were legally converted into private companies with partners. After mergers, 53 companies still exist today.

Web links

Commons : KTEL  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files