Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-09-12

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras announces relief measures for Thassos fire victims

[02] Recycled art sculpture gives new 'horsepower' to old engine parts at TIF

[03] 'Smart cards' to replace paper tickets on Athens public transport in 2017

[01] PM Tsipras announces relief measures for Thassos fire victims

Speaking after a meeting with local officials in Prinos during a visit on the island, Tsipras said affected farmers, livestock farmers and beekeepers will receive compensation from the ministry of agriculture and the farmers' insurance fund ELGA.

He also said the Infrastructure ministry will cover 80 percent of the cost for the reconstruction of the houses that were burned while the other 20 percent will be covered with a long-term loan. The government will also prepare studies on flood protection and for the swift reforestation of the land.

"The destruction is extensive, but Thassos has huge reserves of green areas and will remain a very important tourist destination," Tsipras said.

[02] Recycled art sculpture gives new 'horsepower' to old engine parts at TIF

According to Aeiforos sales director Anne Surville, the horse "is probably one of the most-photographed spots in this year's fair, since many people stand next to 'Kokkinis' - as we named him - and pose for a photo."

Surville said it was the second horse that Kontoulis had made for the company, using materials of his own choosing taken from scrap yards. Components of the specific sculpture include used shock absorbers, parts of old engines, spoons and other discarded domestic items and appliances.

"We wanted to send a message that recycling is not something boring but can be made into something beautiful, an art object," she said.

Aeiforos is a subsidiary of "Sidenor", a company that recycles metals and manages industrial wastes with facilities at Almyros and Nea Ionia, Thessaloniki, where the metallic sculpture is usually on display.

[03] 'Smart cards' to replace paper tickets on Athens public transport in 2017

Tastanis said the new system will allow zone-based charges, with passengers swiping their card across a special card reader to be installed on the metro system, buses, trolley buses and trams. The 'smart card' can be topped up with money using credit cards, the internet and ticket booths, with the correct fare charged each time the card is swiped over a public transport reader. In addition to cards, OASA will sell new paper tickets that incorporate a small circuit and operate in the same way as the card.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was the first person to make symbolic use of a 'smart card' during his visit to the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) on Saturday, where he passed through a demonstration gate of the type to be installed in the Athens metro while visiting the OASA pavilion.

Tastanis said the installation of the new system would start in early 2017, while the paper tickets would be gradually phased out, while card readers will be installed in the metro system by next summer. This would greatly help reduce fare-dodging, while also creating savings by eliminating the cost of printing paper tickets, he said. The system would also allow OASA to set up a new fare policy and new products, such as weekly cards, family cards, and an easier system for occasional clients and tourists.

It will also help improve transport planning based on real needs and improve the distribution of revenues between transport agencies.

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