KTEL THESSALONIKIS company was founded on August 1952. With a view to better the public service, KTEL (acronym translates to “Joint Bus Receipts Fund”) was established under 2119/1952 law. From the initial 104 KTEL, numbers 39 and 54 served the city of Thessaloniki. Additional routes further reinforced the transportations, which until that time, were served by the railway or privately owned buses.

 

In 1973, under (Presidential Decree) LD 102/73 102/1973 “KTEL of Thessaloniki Prefecture” was established and thereupon assigned the settlement transportation coverage of the Thessaloniki Prefecture, not served at that time by OASTH and the Thessaloniki-Athens route/line in 1979.

In 1979, a large share from the 2 Intercity KTEL was attached to the line service of OASTH, then extended to the districts of Mihaliona, Epanomi, Oraiokastro, Asvestohori, Sidnos etc. In truth, the 54th KTEL was absorbed in full into OASTH, contributing with 103 of the 206 intercity KTEL buses. Each of the 103 buses could in fact be property of more than one owner (joint-ownership). In addition to that, KTEL of Thessaloniki Prefecture possessed 10 jointly-owned buses.

In August 2003, by making use of act 2963/200, enabling the KTEL’s conversion to companies of limited liability (LLC), either by allowing all past owners to keep their buses or by contributing with their use, “KTEL THESSALONIKIS PUBLIC LIMITED LIABILITY TRANSPORT, TOURIST AND TRADING COMPANY” was established with an additional bus fee contribution and under the distinctive title “KTEL THESSALONIKIS S.A.”, was registered on 25-8-2003 at the Limited Liability Company Registry of the Thessaloniki Prefectural Administration Company Directorate (license number MAE 55051/62/B/03/0162. All past motorists contributed their buses to the company hence forming an owner-free capital company of limited liability. Since then, it operates as a multi-shareholding S.A. with a share registry of around 200 shareholders.

 

During September of 2003, the Greek state called upon an additional urban transportation extension, which was assigned to OASTH, without the use of buses owned by KTEL THESSALONIKIS S.A. Thus, since September 2003, an additional number of 15 Prefecture municipalities (Langada, Koufalion, Basilikon, etc.) are being served by OASTH. In exchang, 26 OASTH equities/stocks were given to “KTEL THESSALONIKIS S.A.” and a staff of approximately 200, was transferred from KTEL to OASTH. KTEL withdrew all of its remaining, “post-expansion” buses and now serves 9 municipalities of the Thessaloniki Prefecture: 1. Agios Georgios, 2. Apollonia, 3. Arethousa, 4. Vertikou, 5. Egnatia, 6. Kallindoion, 7. Maditou, 8. Rentina and 9. Sohou) and naturally the Thessaloniki-Athens & Piraeus line.

During January 2011, all public transport extends throughout the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki. As a result of that, OASTH becomes in charge of passenger transportation from the city of Thessaloniki to Langadas, now connected with regional villages via local feeder lines operated by KTEL THESSALONIKI (in a regular, single fare). Furthermore, KTEL THESSALONIKI applied a 50% reduction (as of 1-1-2011), on all ticket prices of its two serving lines (Thessaloniki-Zagliveri and Thessaloniki-Asprovalta).

Currently, KTEL THESSALONIKI S.A. is offering even more. With its continuous service development, fleet and vehicle equipment upgrade and with an ongoing training of its staff, it serves in a credible and safe way all those who entrust its lines. With ongoing positive steps, we shape a better future in transportation, so that your every journey is even better.