Athens Metro’s Oldest Trains Finally Set for Full Air Conditioning

After more than a quarter of a century of service without modern cooling, the first trains that opened Athens’ Metro network are finally set to receive full air conditioning, in a move that promises a markedly cooler commute for hundreds of thousands of daily passengers.

From ventilators to full climate control

The first generation trains serving Athens Metro Lines 2 and 3 entered operation around the system’s inauguration in 2000 and today are roughly 26 years old. These units were originally equipped only with basic ventilation, leaving entire sections of the fleet without air conditioning even as newer rolling stock with cooling systems joined the network.

Published coverage in Greek and international media over recent summers has highlighted how these older trains became a symbol of discomfort, particularly during heatwaves when temperatures in Athens regularly exceed 35 degrees Celsius. Reports indicate that passengers often experienced packed cars, minimal airflow and prolonged journeys on aging equipment that struggled to keep up with growing demand.

Urban rail operators in Athens have progressively upgraded newer generations of metro trains with air conditioning, but the first generation sets on Lines 2 and 3 remained the last large group in regular service without full climate control. The latest project aims to close this gap so that, once completed, all trains on the core metro lines can operate with cooling systems.

The retrofit of these trains is part of a broader effort to modernize the capital’s rail-based public transport, which also includes extensive refurbishment of older Line 1 rolling stock and track renewal works across the network.

New retrofit program launches after years of passenger pressure

According to recent announcements and technical documentation, urban rail operator STASY and the Transport Ministry have initiated the formal process to add air conditioning to at least a dozen first generation trains, with some reports mentioning a target of up to 16 trainsets. The move follows a consultation phase on how to integrate cooling units into vehicles designed in the early 1990s, long before present-day standards on thermal comfort.

Local media describe the program as a turning point for riders who have endured repeated summers in non‑air‑conditioned cars. Over the past year, features in Athens-based outlets have detailed commuter complaints about overheated interiors on the red and blue lines, drawing attention to the contrast between refurbished trains and the older sets that still rely on ceiling fans and open windows.

Publicly available information shows that the new scheme is structured as a complete mechanical and electrical upgrade rather than a simple retrofit of standalone cooling units. This approach aligns with earlier modernization projects on Line 1, where older trains were rebuilt with new traction systems and air conditioning to extend their life while improving comfort and reliability.

The decision to proceed now reflects both technical necessity and public pressure. The first generation trains are considered structurally robust but technologically outdated, making a mid‑life overhaul with modern systems more cost‑effective than full replacement in the short term.

Technical upgrade: AC traction and passenger cooling

Project descriptions for the Athens Metro modernization indicate that the air conditioning installation on first generation trains comes bundled with a shift to alternating current (AC) traction motors and associated power electronics. This is intended to reduce energy consumption, cut maintenance demands and create the electrical headroom needed to run multiple rooftop or under‑floor HVAC units per car.

The upgrade package typically includes new traction converters, auxiliary power systems, compressors and control equipment, all integrated with the train’s existing structure. In practice, this means that each six‑car trainset will undergo a full strip‑down in a workshop, where interiors are rebuilt to accommodate ducting, cabling and climate units while preserving passenger capacity.

Reports from similar refurbishment efforts on Athens Metro Line 1 suggest that adding air conditioning significantly changes the passenger experience, especially during the long summer months. Interior noise levels, lighting, and information systems are often improved at the same time, producing carriages that feel much closer to brand‑new trains despite their age.

For operators, pairing AC traction with air conditioning is expected to allow smoother acceleration and braking, more stable operation on steep gradients, and fewer breakdowns triggered by overheating equipment during high‑demand periods.

Timeline: first upgraded trains expected from 2028

Recent coverage of the Athens Metro modernization program indicates that the implementation horizon for fitting air conditioning to first generation trains stretches across several years. Reports about the newly announced tender for Lines 2 and 3 describe an overall project duration of roughly three years from contract signing, with the first upgraded trainsets forecast to enter passenger service around 2028.

The trains are expected to return to the network in stages rather than all at once. This phased approach reflects both the engineering complexity and the need to keep enough rolling stock available to maintain current timetables while units are in the workshop. Earlier refurbishment contracts on Line 1 followed a similar pattern, with one prototype train delivered first, then small batches entering service at regular intervals.

By the end of the current program, the vast majority of trains operating on Lines 2 and 3 should be air‑conditioned, alongside the already refurbished or newer fleets that currently provide cooled service. If the schedule holds, the summer of 2028 is likely to mark the first season in which Athenians experience an almost fully climate‑controlled metro on these two lines.

Transport analysts in the Greek press note that the timeline also dovetails with separate plans to introduce new trainsets on the network and expand Line 3 services, making the coming decade one of significant change for urban rail in the capital.

Comfort, climate and the future of Athens commuting

Beyond immediate passenger comfort, the cooling of first generation metro trains relates directly to Athens’ broader climate resilience strategy. The city routinely faces intense and prolonged heatwaves, and several recent summers have seen record‑high temperatures that strain infrastructure and public health systems.

Public transport advocates argue that a fully air‑conditioned metro can play a role in encouraging residents and visitors to leave cars at home, thereby reducing emissions and traffic congestion. They point to research indicating that reliable, comfortable rail services tend to increase ridership, particularly during extreme weather when private vehicles may seem more attractive.

Published analyses of the Athens network suggest that the retrofit program for first generation trains forms part of a layered strategy that also includes track renewal, signaling upgrades and station improvements such as better ventilation and, in some locations, misting systems on platforms. Together, these investments are intended to stabilize on‑time performance and enhance the overall quality of the journey.

For now, passengers will need to wait several more summers before stepping into fully air‑conditioned versions of the trains that first launched the modern Athens Metro. Yet as the tender process advances and refurbishment work begins, the prospect of cooler, quieter rides on Lines 2 and 3 is moving from a long‑standing demand to an imminent reality.