Thessaloniki opens new underground metro system revealing ancient artifacts

Thessaloniki's new underground metro system opened on Saturday, featuring driverless trains and 13 stations. Thousands of residents braved bad weather to experience the long-awaited transport option, which faced decades of delays and cost over 3 billion euros. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis inaugurated the system, which has been in planning since 1976. The project encountered numerous legal and archaeological challenges, including the discovery of over 300,000 artifacts during construction. Officials expect the metro to reduce daily car traffic by 57,000 and serve 254,000 passengers daily. Future extensions are planned, with an eastward line set to open in 2025 and a westward line in the works.