Advertising on metro to help cover revenues, subsidy drop

The public company that manages fixed-track forms of public transport in Athens, STASY, is to put to tender a 2-million-euro contract to allow advertising on metro trains, the electric railway (ISAP) and trams in the hope that it will make up for declining revenues in recent months.

The first eight months of last year saw STASY’s revenues rise by 17 percent compared to the same period in 2013 but they fell at the tail end of the year. STASY attributes this to its decision to change the pricing and range of tickets it provided, leading to the cost of transport dropping for many commuters.

This year the state subsidy for public transport in Athens will also drop from the 100 million euros paid out last year to 85 million.

The tender for the advertisements will be launched on February 16. The winning bidder will sign a four-year contract allowing them to advertise on the metro, ISAP and trams.