The Thessaloniki Urban Transport Organisation (Greek: Οργανισμός Αστικών Συγκοινωνιών Θεσσαλονίκης), abbreviated OASTH (Greek: ΟΑΣΘ), is a mass transport company operating in Thessaloniki, Greece.
It was founded in 1957 and now covers a large area of the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki, the country's second-largest city. OASTH only includes bus transportation due to lack of other means of transport.
History
Before the creation of OASTH in 1957, public transport in Thessaloniki was initially covered by an extensive tram network opened in the late 19th century. Later a Belgian bus company started operating with horse-pulled carriages seating 4 to 5 people.[2] OASTH was founded by Presidential Decree 3721 and aimed at replacing the city's tram network as sole provider of public transport. The initial fleet included 283 buses of 60 to 80 seats.
In 1978, OASTH acquired the first articulated buses in Greece. In 1979 OASTH expands, taking over several routes previously operated by KTEL in the suburbs of Thessaloniki and also takes over the sea services operating by small boats during summer months and are replaced by new OASTH bus routes.
In 2003 OASTH expanded again and 12 new lines were created for the suburbs of Thessaloniki. In 2009 64 new buses were added to the fleet, numbering 604 buses in total. The agreement with the Greek state regarding the right to monopolise public transport in Thessaloniki is valid until two years after the completion of the Thessaloniki Metro and its expansions.
The Greek government in 2017, through the passing of a law, proceeded to nationalize the company in 2017, citing as a cause the poor service of the citizens, the corruption and the complaints for embezzlement of public money by the private shareholders.
Being the sole provider of public transport within the city of Thessaloniki, OASTH operates an extensive network that covers the entire city. Overall 75 routes are currently in service. Several bus stops all over Thessaloniki are equipped with electronic timetables and some with a button for the activation of a talk system for blind people notifying passengers about the arrival of the next bus of every line.
Vehicles
The current fleet of OASTh is 622 (347 in operation, 249 modular, 22 small vans and 4 specially configured for movement of disabled people) consists of the following bus types:
New bus vehicle, express route (01X, Intercity Bus Station - Airport)
