For the convenience and information of Persons with Disabilities who are entitled to an unlimited travel card for the year 2024, taking into account: 

the No. 21258/15.3.2024 (Government Gazette B 1806/22.3.2024) Joint Decision of the Ministers of Finance, Social Cohesion & Family, and Infrastructure & Transport, as well as, 

the protocol no. 24376/28.3.2024 clarifying circular of the Ministry of Social Cohesion & Family, which concerns the granting of PwD Movement Passes for the year 2024, we propose that the following message be added via telematics to the bus stops and inside the buses, as well as to the website of OASTH: 

“THE ISSUE OF PwD CARDS FOR 2024 WILL BEGIN AT CITIZENS’ SERVICE CENTERS (CSCs) ON APRIL 4, 2024, AND ENDS ON OCTOBER 31, 2024.” 

35 of the most central OASTH bus stops of Thessaloniki got a voice! 

In particular, the Transportation Bus Service of Thessaloniki, which has persistently been supporting persons with disabilities, has modernized and expanded the audio announcement system of bus arrivals, at selected stops, which were determined in collaboration with the Panhellenic Association of the Blind - Regional Union of Central Macedonia and the Panhellenic Association of Paraplegics - Annex of Macedonia-Thrace. 

The system was operated at some stops by remote control and has now been extended to a total of 35 stops. Importantly, the system has been completely modernized, and is now activated by the user with a button instead of the remote control. 

Pursuant to the provisions of par. 3 of article 17 of Law 3185/2003 (GGI A' 229/ 26.9.2003), throughout the provision of urban transport services to the passenger public in its area of responsibility, O.A.S.TH. is obliged to supply and put into circulation, for the free of charge (no fare) transportation of persons with mobility impairments and other Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), two (2) exclusive vehicles specially adapted for the transport of wheelchairs and the companions of PwDs. Also, OASTH has one (1) additional vehicle that will act as a backup for the aforementioned two (2) vehicles. 

O.A.S.TH. is also obliged to put into circulation the third-backup vehicle on days of increased demand when the requested transportations of PwDs are not 100% covered. 

In each wheelchair position, the restraining and safety means prescribed by applicable legislation will be installed. 

The seats of the Companions will have approved seat belts. 

The vehicles will have a heating and cooling system and, if technically possible, an integrated refrigerator to cover the water needs of transported PwDs. 

The exterior coloring of the bus will be white, with O.A.S.TH. retaining the discretion to have its logo and brand placed on it, as well as social messages regarding services provided to PwDs, or to cover the entire external surface of the vehicle. 

O.A.S.TH. is obliged to provide said services to PwDs as follows: 

• During weekdays from 06:00 to 22:00 (i.e. in two shifts), with both of the two (2) vehicles in each shift, and adding the third vehicle whenever there is increased demand. 

• On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 07:00 to 23:00 (i.e. in two shifts), with one (1) vehicle in each shift and adding the second vehicle whenever there is increased demand. 

• PwDs will be served with the aforementioned vehicles, after a telephone pre-arrangement-appointment made either the day before or on the same day (at least two hours before the time of the transport, for the orderly operation of the service) of the movement of PwDs and their companions to and from their destination (residence, entertainment, hospital, etc.). 

• Using the aforementioned vehicles and upon prior consultation with PwD Parents' Associations or PwDs Associations, etc., transport can also be organized for social purposes (events, etc.), arranged at least two (2) days before the day of the transport. 

• PwD transports with the aforementioned vehicles are performed to and from the entire area under the responsibility of O.A.S.TH. 

• In order to be served with the special vehicles of O.A.S.TH., PwDs and their companions contact the competent staff of O.A.S.TH., either the day before or on the same day of the transport, at at least two (2) telephone numbers published by O.A.S.TH., which operate, at least, during the hours 07:30 to 21:30 on all days (weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays), to announce the transportation and any relevant information (place and time of boarding - disembarking, etc.). 

• First priority in the right to travel belongs to the physically impaired PwDs (users of a wheelchair, or persons with severe mobility impairment that does not allow them to use conventionally accessible buses) (Priority “1”), who are given the opportunity to contact O.A.S.TH. from 07:30 to 10:00 on the previous day, to be the first to plan the journey they want. Next come those with 100% vision impairment (Priority “2”), who are given the opportunity to call O.A.S.TH. from 10:30 to 12:00 to plan the journey they want, and then, from 12:30 to 14:00 come the rest of the PwD categories (Priority “3”) who will be served in the available free time slots, or with combined transport, after fulfilling the transportation requests of the first two categories of PwDs. After 15:00 it is possible for all 3 categories of persons with disabilities to plan travel in the remaining available free time slots or with combined transport. In order to serve as many PwDs as possible, the following restrictions apply: 

(a) Each PwD has the right to a maximum of one (1) return journey to and from their destination or two (2) one-way journeys per day. 

(b) If all submitted travel requests have been satisfied and there are available time slots in the already configured schedule of service, the possibility of additional travel is provided, for all categories of PwDs, beyond the limitations defined in the preceding subsection (a). The additional travel requests are submitted by phone, either the day before after 18.00, or on the same day of travel at least two (2) hours before it takes place. 

• The mandated bodies of O.A.S.TH. asses the PwDs’ requests for transportation, organize and plan the circulation and route, or routes, of the vehicles, so that as many PwDs as possible are served in the best possible way. 

In order to join the program services by the aforementioned vehicles, every PwD is required to submit a relevant application with the necessary information for their service (name, surname, home and work address, contact numbers, usual destination, etc.), the disability and its rating (which is documented by submitting a certificate issued by the competent public health service), as well as any other additional information that will facilitate the processing of their request. 

1. Every PwD traveling with the aforementioned vehicles is required to arrive on time at their appointment for travel. For the smooth execution of the daily service schedule, the vehicle does not wait for the prospective PwD passenger and their companion for more than five (5) minutes from the scheduled appointment time. The control of compliance or non-compliance with the above will also be done through the Telematics System of O.A.S.TH. 

2. If the PWD does not arrive at the pre-arranged appointment even after the above additional time of five (5) minutes, they lose their right to the specific transport and the special PwD transport vehicle departs to continue its schedule. 

3. The provision of further service to Persons with Disabilities will be reviewed by the authorized bodies of O.A.S.TH, in cases where, for any reason or cause, the interested parties: 

Do not come to the prearranged appointments, in accordance with the provisions in paragraph 3 of this article. 

Do not proceed to the timely cancellation of scheduled appointments, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5 of this article. 

Such PwDs will be served in second priority compared with the other beneficiaries of their “priority” category, as defined in paragraph 5 of article 4. 

4. PwDs are obliged to inform the authorized employee of O.A.S.TH. in a timely manner {at least from the previous day or at least two (2) hours before the agreed time of the transport}, about the cancellation of an already arranged transport. If there is no timely notification of cancellation of an already confirmed transport, the transport will be “charged” to the PwD as a no-show. 

5. In the event that OASTH cancels or is unable, for any reason, to carry out the planned transport, or the special vehicle is delayed, beyond five (5) minutes from the predetermined appointment time, OASTH is obliged to inform the PwD passenger in a timely manner in any convenient way. 

6. The details of PwDs may not, in any way, be made public by O.A.S.TH. or any member of its staff, or to be given to any third party (confidential personal data). 

O.A.S.TH. ensures the training of the staff of the PwD transportation program through specialized seminars. 

For the best and safest possible service to PwDs, O.A.S.TH. offers to the persons transported: 

1. Attendant, mandatory on the 1st shift on weekdays. If the PwDs transported are not accompanied, the Attendants, or the Drivers (on days and times when there are no Attendants), ensure the assistance of the PwDs, so that their boarding and disembarking takes place in the safest possible way. It is clarified that the Attendants and Drivers are not obliged to carry PwDs away from the special service vehicle. They are obliged to assist PwDs in boarding and disembarking, at the exact predetermined meeting point, to which the PwD arrives at their or their companion's sole responsibility. 

2. The supply of bottled water (0.5 lit) during the summer months (July – August), if requested by the transported PwD. 

With the aim and objective of providing the best possible services to PwDs, O.A.S.TH. may cooperate with PwD Associations of Parents and Guardians, or Associations or Federations of PwDs (paraplegics, etc.). 

The present Regulations are amended each time by a decision of the Minister of Transport and Communications, after a recommendation from O.S.E.T.H. and opinion of O.A.S.TH. 

he validity of these Regulations begins on the 1st of the month following the publication of this decision in the Government Gazette, replacing the No. Α-75442/6521/26-1-2005 (Β’ 146) decision “Organization-Operation and Service Regulations for Transporting Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) on OASTH’s special buses,” which will no longer be valid.