1952
The history of KTEL Thessaloniki begins in August 1952. At that time, with the aim of better serving the public, it was established under law 2119/1952, with KTEL initially standing for Common Fund for Bus Operations. Among the 104 KTEL companies that started in Greece, the 39th and 54th served Thessaloniki. The new routes were introduced to enhance transportation options, as until then, railway services or privately-owned buses had primarily served the area.
1973
In 1973, with Presidential Decree 102/1973, the “KTEL Thessaloniki Prefecture” was established. It was assigned the responsibility of providing transportation services to the settlements in the Thessaloniki Prefecture that were not served by OASTH (Thessaloniki Urban Transport Organization). In 1979, it also took over the Thessaloniki – Athens bus route.
1979
2003
In August 2003, utilizing Law 2963/2001, which provided the possibility for KTEL (Regional Bus Companies) to transform into Anonymous Companies, either by allowing the old owners to retain their buses or by contributing them to the company, the “KTEL Thessaloniki S.A.” was established with the contribution of buses. This company was registered on August 25, 2003, in the Registry of Anonymous Companies of the Directorate of Companies of the Prefecture of Thessaloniki, with the Registration Number (M.A.E.) 55051/62/B/03/0162. The former bus owners contributed their buses to the company, creating a joint-stock anonymous company without bus owner-drivers. Since then, it has operated as a multi-shareholder S.A. with approximately 200 shareholders.
In September 2003, the government decided to further expand urban transportation services, which was assigned to OASTH (Urban Transport Organization of Thessaloniki) without utilizing buses from “KTEL Thessaloniki S.A.” Starting from September 2003, an additional 15 municipalities in the region (including Lagkada, Koufalia, Vasilikon, etc.) were served by OASTH. In return, 26 shares of OASTH were transferred to “KTEL Thessaloniki S.A.,” and about 200 personnel were transferred from KTEL to OASTH. KTEL withdrew the surplus buses from service, and it currently serves 9 municipalities in the Thessaloniki region (Agios Georgios, Apollonia, Arethousa, Vertiskos, Egnatia, Kalloindion, Maditos, Rentina, and Sohos), as well as the Thessaloniki – Athens & Piraeus bus line.
2011
2019
In June 2019, part of the urban transport services was returned to KTEL. As of June 1, 2019, KTEL Thessaloniki AE took over the operation of routes previously operated by OASTH, using its own buses and personnel, on lines 85, 86, 89, 90, 91, and 92.
2020
TODAY
Today, KTEL THESSALONIKI S.A. provides high-level transportation services. With continuous service improvement, fleet and vehicle equipment renewal, and ongoing training for its personnel, it reliably and safely serves the public who trust its routes. We are steadily shaping a better future in transportation.
1952
The history of KTEL Thessaloniki begins in August 1952. At that time, with the aim of better serving the public, it was established under law 2119/1952, with KTEL initially standing for Common Fund for Bus Operations. Among the 104 KTEL companies that started in Greece, the 39th and 54th served Thessaloniki. The new routes were introduced to enhance transportation options, as until then, railway services or privately-owned buses had primarily served the area.
1973
In 1973, with Presidential Decree 102/1973, the “KTEL Thessaloniki Prefecture” was established. It was assigned the responsibility of providing transportation services to the settlements in the Thessaloniki Prefecture that were not served by OASTH (Thessaloniki Urban Transport Organization). In 1979, it also took over the Thessaloniki – Athens bus route.
1979
2003
In August 2003, utilizing Law 2963/2001, which provided the possibility for KTEL (Regional Bus Companies) to transform into Anonymous Companies, either by allowing the old owners to retain their buses or by contributing them to the company, the “KTEL Thessaloniki S.A.” was established with the contribution of buses. This company was registered on August 25, 2003, in the Registry of Anonymous Companies of the Directorate of Companies of the Prefecture of Thessaloniki, with the Registration Number (M.A.E.) 55051/62/B/03/0162. The former bus owners contributed their buses to the company, creating a joint-stock anonymous company without bus owner-drivers. Since then, it has operated as a multi-shareholder S.A. with approximately 200 shareholders.
In September 2003, the government decided to further expand urban transportation services, which was assigned to OASTH (Urban Transport Organization of Thessaloniki) without utilizing buses from “KTEL Thessaloniki S.A.” Starting from September 2003, an additional 15 municipalities in the region (including Lagkada, Koufalia, Vasilikon, etc.) were served by OASTH. In return, 26 shares of OASTH were transferred to “KTEL Thessaloniki S.A.,” and about 200 personnel were transferred from KTEL to OASTH. KTEL withdrew the surplus buses from service, and it currently serves 9 municipalities in the Thessaloniki region (Agios Georgios, Apollonia, Arethousa, Vertiskos, Egnatia, Kalloindion, Maditos, Rentina, and Sohos), as well as the Thessaloniki – Athens & Piraeus bus line.
2011
2019
In June 2019, part of the urban transport services was returned to KTEL. As of June 1, 2019, KTEL Thessaloniki AE took over the operation of routes previously operated by OASTH, using its own buses and personnel, on lines 85, 86, 89, 90, 91, and 92.
2020
TODAY
Today, KTEL THESSALONIKI S.A. provides high-level transportation services. With continuous service improvement, fleet and vehicle equipment renewal, and ongoing training for its personnel, it reliably and safely serves the public who trust its routes. We are steadily shaping a better future in transportation.