[5] It has significantly changed Athens by providing a much-needed solution to the city's traffic and air pollution problem, as well as revitalising many of the areas it serves.

The Athens Metro is hailed for its modernity (mainly the newer lines 2, 3), and many of its stations feature works of art, exhibitions and displays of the archaeological remains found during its construction.

On 4 February 1885 Lavrion Square-Strofyli steam narrow gauge single-track mixed cargo and passenger railway line opened and was run at the time from Attiki Square to Kifissia through Iraklio.

These originally mixed cargo and passenger railway lines gradually merged and converted to a rapid-transit system.

In 1976 the EIS was nationalized and renamed Athens-Piraeus Electric Railway Company (ISAP), which continued to operate what became line 1 of the Athens Metro until 16 June 2011.

[9] Construction of Lines 2 and 3 began in November 1992 to decrease traffic congestion and improve Athens' air quality by reducing its smog level.

The Greek government attempted to absorb ISAP into Attiko Metro operation company under Law 2669/1998 so the latter would be responsible for the whole network,[10] but this initiative failed.[why?]

The eighth- and tenth-batch stock is externally similar, but the former has split-flap headsigns in Johnston typeface and a cream-and-green interior colour scheme.

Teams of archaeologists worked ahead of, then with, engineers for six years, protecting and recording archaeological finds (streets, houses, cemeteries, sanctuaries, public workshops, foundry pits, kilns, aqueducts, wells, cisterns, drains and sewage tunnels).

This afforded new insight into the city's ancient topography, through unprecedented infrastructure development combined with the study and preservation of archaeological data.

Exhibitions of ancient artifacts or replicas are found at a number of metro stations, including Monastiraki, Akropoli and Syntagma.The Athens Metro masterplan, as presented in October 2022, consists of the following projects:[27] *The current Kifissia terminal will be demolished and rebuilt as an underground station.

If and when these projects are completed, the Athens Metro is expected to reach 141.7 km (88.0 mi) in length and serve a total of 110 stations by 2040.

The new line in its totality will extend over a length of 38.2 km (23.7 mi), adding thirty five (35) new stations to the Athens Metro system.

[28] The recommendation is for lighter rolling stock than the type used in existing lines of Athens Metro which would operate automatically without a driver.

In November 2020, Alstom was chosen to supply the line with 20 4-car automated Metropolis trains, operated under Urbalis 400 signalling system.

The European Investment Bank is allocating a €730 million loan over 30 years to finance the building of the first segment of the Line 4 metro, which will connect Alsos Veikou and Goudi.

The initiative will also assist Athens by reducing the number of private automobiles on the road by 53 000, resulting in 318 tonnes fewer CO2 released daily.

With a second phase (Aghios Nikolaos - Acharnai) , with intermediate stations at Kamatero and Zefyri (for Athens Suburban Railway trains).