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IntroductionThe use of participatory techniques in the field of transport is coming to the forefront recently. In this frame, eight co-creation workshops and five online crowdsourcing campaigns took place in Thessaloniki, Southern Tuscany, Rotterdam/The Hague, and Frankfurt, from which many innovative ideas to enhance Public Transport were generated by citizens.PurposeA simple list of innovations would not be very useful for Public Transport Operators, as they cannot implement all of them at once. There was an obvious need for their ranking and this is the purpose of this paper.MethodsThe ranking was realized with the most used Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis method in transportation research, i.e. the Analytic Hierarchy Process, using three criteria: Feasibility, Utility, and Innovativeness. An online questionnaire was distributed to experts, using a modified snowball sampling technique, which yielded 97 completed questionnaires.ResultsUtility (42.90%) was found to be the most important criterion, followed by Feasibility (40.10%), and Innovativeness (17.00%). Four lists of innovations were derived, ranked with respect to a) all three examined criteria, b) Feasibility, c) Utility, and d) Innovativeness. The highest ranked innovation for a) and c) was found to be Mobility as a Service and platform with real-time travel, comfort, and multi-modal information; for b) City marketing from a Public Transport perspective; and for d) Advanced e-ticketing system.ConclusionThe results revealed which of the innovations are the most promising and provide valuable insight into how to integrate innovation with Public Transport to make it more attractive. Public Transport Operators may use the results according to the peculiarities of their city and the importance they give to Feasibility, Utility, and Innovativeness.

Last-Mile Delivery (LMD) in rural areas presents unique logistical challenges due to limited infrastructure, low population density, and high distribution costs. This paper investigates consumer preferences regarding LMD services in rural Greece using Choice-Based Conjoint (CBC) analysis. A structured questionnaire was used to collect responses from 50 individuals living in rural regions. Four key attributes were evaluated: delivery cost, pickup location, environmental surcharge, and pickup time. The analysis reveals that delivery cost holds the highest importance (38.41%), followed by pickup location (25.25%), environmental surcharge (18.82%), and pickup time (17.52%). A market simulation using the Randomized First Choice (RFC) method identified the preferred service profile: same-day delivery, free cost, home pickup, and no environmental surcharge, with a market penetration of 45.%. Conversely, profiles with high delivery fees were firmly rejected by consumers, even when all other features were optimal. The findings highlight actionable insights for courier and logistics companies aiming to optimize LMD strategies in rural settings. Emphasizing affordability and convenience while offering sustainable options with minimal extra cost may enhance customer satisfaction and market share. This study contributes to the design of more efficient and user-centered LMD services in less developed rural areas.

The Thessaloniki Metro project is a significant transportation initiative with profound economic and environmental implications. This study evaluates public satisfaction with the project’s construction progress. Initiated in 2003, the Thessaloniki Metro aims to enhance urban mobility and safety while reducing travel time and environmental impacts. The survey, conducted through Google Forms, included 108 participants, predominantly young citizens. Key findings indicate a strong public endorsement of the metro’s construction, with 85.1% rating it positively. However, there is widespread dissatisfaction regarding project delays attributed to bureaucracy, legal complications, and inefficient fund management. Notably, 99.1% of respondents acknowledged significant delays, and 61.7% reported diminished trust in state institutions due to these setbacks. Despite these issues, there is optimistic support for network extensions, particularly towards Kalamaria and the Thessaloniki Airport “Macedonia.” Economically, 83.2% of participants are willing to use the metro if ticket prices align with those in Athens. The study concludes with recommendations for addressing delays and suggests future surveys post- completion to assess changes in public satisfaction. The findings highlight the need for timely project completion to meet public expectations and improve urban transit infrastructure.

IntroductionPublic Transport users have diverse mobility needs and preferences on how to meet those needs. While this is consistent with typical standards for both academic scholars and practitioners, less is known about the structure of these preferences, how different they are, especially with regard to innovations in Public Transport. Previous research works have been successful in bringing together and developing a comprehensive set of state-of-the-art innovations that could be potentially valuable for Public Transport Authorities and Operators in covering mobility needs.PurposeGoing a step further, this study collected empirical evidence on the preferences’ pattern of European citizens when considering these innovations. The present study’s objectives were (a) to measure European citizens’ preferences regarding Public Transport innovations, (b) to examine potential differences at individual level between innovations and demographic and behavioral measures, and (c) to profile respondents based on a multidimensional set of parameters including individual preference scores.MethodsCorrespondingly, the study employed complementary methodological designs like the Maximum Difference Scaling method, which is an effective tool for encompassing large numbers of attributes, Analysis of Variance, and Latent Class Analysis.ResultsFindings prioritized significant differences in user preferences along the tested innovations and innovations were linked to specific motivational schemes (viz. “information provision”, “efficient design concerns”, “provision of effectiveness”, “pricing concerns”, and “assistance provision”). Motivational schemes and their properties encompassing users’ diverse patterns of ranked preferences regarding Public Transport innovations were then employed as the basis for profiling.ConclusionFurther to methodological contributions reflecting the design of the present study, implications for practitioners regarding the use of differentiated mix of motives are also provided.

This paper study investigates the role and impact of e-scooters in urban mobility within Thessaloniki, Greece, focusing on usage patterns, user demographics, and the socio-economic and environmental implications. A mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative data from user surveys and qualitative insights from interviews, was employed to develop a structured Google Forms questionnaire that was disseminated to e-scooter users in Thessaloniki using a modified snowball sampling technique. The survey revealed that the primary users are young adults aged 18-27, predominantly students, who favor e-scooters for their time efficiency, enjoyment, and environmental benefits. However, safety concerns and inadequate infrastructure pose significant barriers to wider adoption. The findings highlight strong public support for expanding the e-scooter network to enhance connectivity and convenience. Recommendations include developing dedicated infrastructure, implementing balanced regulatory measures, maintaining affordability, and promoting public awareness campaigns. Future research should explore the integration of e-scooters with other public transport modes and assess their long-term impact on urban mobility and sustainability. This study contributes valuable insights for policymakers aiming to develop sustainable urban transport systems that meet evolving urban needs.

This paper examines the energy and environmental context of the design and operation of airports and air transport in general in the direction of achieving sustainability and cooperation with modern sustainable trends. At the same time, the importance of this design is highlighted, and all the latest developments on individual issues (e.g., impact management, policies, benchmarking, modeling) are recorded. In parallel, apart from the theoretical approach, an analysis of the main environmental and energy achievements of different airports in Greece and abroad is made, which highlights, among others, the dynamics and the priority of these issues in the field of aviation. The need for a more extensive study of this sector is dictated by the reduction of energy reserves, increased energy costs, climate change, new energy regulations, and fines, increased passenger numbers, increased flights and airports, and the need for new airports. Therefore, knowing the benefits and impacts of a transition from simple economic growth to sustainable growth in the economy and the environment is essential. The circle is about society, the economy, and the environment and is repeated.

This paper investigates the readiness of Greek drivers to adopt electric vehicles by analyzing the results of a survey conducted among postgraduate students of the Hellenic Open University (HOU) in Greece. The paper examines consumer decisions regarding electric vehicles, focusing on factors such as cost, charging infrastructure, environmental impact, and technological concerns. Notably, 21% of the participants do not consider recharging requirements, and 83% would not buy an electric car. The study’s qualitative results reveal that high initial costs, limited charging infrastructure, and range anxiety are significant barriers to electric vehicle adoption in Greece. Despite these challenges, the potential for long-term savings and environmental benefits from electric vehicles is significant. The findings underscore the need for enhanced public awareness, improved infrastructure, and more substantial financial incentives to facilitate the transition to electric mobility in Greece. This paper contributes to understanding the specific challenges faced by Greek consumers and offers insights for policymakers to support the adoption of electric vehicles more efficiently.

The effective evaluation of the implementation of the strategies, policies, and actions toward a sustainable urban mobility system is based, among others, on the use of appropriate indicators that reflect the elements and dimensions of sustainable mobility (economic, social, and environmental). These indicators should be measurable, relevant to the target, and adapted to the scale of the city. In addition, this system of indicators should be equipped with valid and compatible data sets on transport in order to provide an effective tool for assessing the conditions of sustainable mobility in the study city. The methodology used was based on the integration of international experience in the sustainable urban mobility sector in the study area. Concluding, this paper examines the assumptions and perspectives of achieving a sustainable urban transport system in small cities, focusing on this methodology in the city of Polykastro. The paper can be used as an implementation guide for assessing the level of sustainable urban mobility in other small-sized provincial cities, such as Polykastro.

This paper investigates the impact of routing a train between Athens and Thessaloniki, completing the journey in 2.5 hours, on modal share. With high expectations for the modernization of the Greek railway system, particularly the Athens-Thessaloniki route, and recent tragic events involving the railway, this study aims to shed light on the potential effects of such an improvement. A questionnaire survey was conducted at Thessaloniki Airport “Makedonia” to gather data on travel time, ticket prices, and other factors influencing travelers’ mode choices for the Athens-Thessaloniki route. The survey included 181 participants, most of whom had an income equal to or below the average monthly income. Results revealed that if the new rail system was implemented at equal cost, 63% of respondents would choose the train over the airplane, citing long transit times, waiting time, extra costs, and luggage restrictions as primary factors favoring the train. However, 8% expressed concerns about the reliability and adherence to estimated travel times. Overall, the research concludes that, despite the recent tragedy, the modernized train system could significantly increase its modal share and offer positive environmental benefits by reducing the journey time to 2.5 hours.

In this paper, the case of the Hellinikon – Agios Kosmas metropolitan pole is analyzed. In more detail, the urban history of this area is presented, and the historical decisions that led to the current consolidation of the regeneration vision are mentioned. Also, reference is made to the investor company Lamda Development SA. Subsequently, the company’s vision regarding the future state of the area is analyzed, and its strategic goals regarding the reshaping of the area over a 25-year period are identified one by one. In fact, a more general picture is given of the resulting profitability as well as the implementation phases through which it will be achieved. The criticism is also mentioned in light of the legislative framework and other factors. The Maximum Difference (MaxDiff) Scaling method was applied in a MaxDiff questionnaire survey with 112 participants to prioritize the preferences of the public for the announced interventions. It was found that the most preferred intervention was the “Complex of sports facilities,” and the less preferred one was the “Yacht Club.” The respondents focused more on the uses that the interventions could have for the public instead of the general benefits for the economy.