Greece’s Transport Minister Michalis Liapis admitted that public transport security measures for the Athens Games were behind schedule, but he pledged that everything will be in place in time for the Games.
Liapis spoke following a meeting with ministry officials on security measures for the Athens Games.
Security measures include the installation of surveillance equipment as well as training of security personnel to guard installations and to crack down on pickpockets.
Transport projects include new tramlines and a railway linking the airport with the city centre. Officials said that tenders and court appeals have led to delays.
Meanwhile transport officials said Thursday that the electric urban railway and nine key bus and trolley lines will be operating day and night during the Games.
But it is not known when the measures will start and which five bus lines and four trolley lines would operate on a 24-hour basis.
Twenty-three special express bus routes would run during the Games, linking key parts of Athens with Olympic venues, including distant destinations such as the Schinias rowing centre, the Markopoulo riding venue, and the mountain-bike track on Mount Parnitha.
About 550 of 1,850 buses will serve the express routes which will make few or no stops between destinations and will use special priority lanes.
Athenians living or working near Olympic venues have been given until May 15 to apply for special documents so that they can drive within restricted areas during the Games.
Twenty three new bus services will run during the Olympics and passengers with Olympic tickets valid for the day of travel or accreditation passes will not be charged.
A preliminary investigation into a recent press report that Athens 2004 leased hundreds of cars from a major Games sponsor for more than it would have cost to purchase them new, has been called by an Athens prosecutor.
According to the Kosmos tou Ependiti weekly the three-year lease on 800 Hyundai cars cost twice as much as a similar deal involving any other make of car would have cost.
