Regional fact sheets – Municipality of

Deliverable D4.2

Aristotle University of – Transport Systems Research Group

Evangelos Genitsaris • Panagiotis Tsalis

September 2014

Contract N°: IEE/12/970/S12.670555

Table of contents

1 Spatial Analysis 3 1.1 Short overview of the Langadas area characteristics 3 1.2 The area geography and constraints 4 1.3 Transport and mobility infrastructure offered 6 2 Socioeconomic and demographic structure 6 3 Regional public transport systems 11 4 References 14

D4.2: Regional fact sheets – Municipality of Langadas 2

1 Spatial Analysis 1.1 Short overview of the Langadas area characteristics

The Municipality of Langadas consists of 7 Local Municipal Entities covering 1220 km2. It constitutes a rural area with a low population density of just 41103 permanent inhabitants (according to the 2011 census of the Greek Statistics Services) that is poorly served by public transport and has many poles of attraction that are insufficiently exploited.

Picture 1.1: The location of the Municipality of Langadas within the Region of (coloured area).

Langadas

Municipality

Source: [1] The current organizational structure of the Greek State includes several bodies and levels of administration. The latest reform, known as the “KALLIKRATIS” law, has created a new structure of local governance. The Municipality of Langada’s position in it is described in Figure 1.1

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Figure 1.1: Municipality of Langadas’ position in Administrative Levels of the State

1.2 The area geography and constraints

The local geography constraints that comprise physical restrictions to the movement of people and vehicles and can be found at the Municipality of Langadas are the following:

1. Forests and forestall areas The forests and the forestall areas are located at the main mountains and massifs of the area and particularly at the bulge of the “” mountain, the mountain chain of “Kerdillion” and the mountain of “Chortiatis – Omvrianos”. 2. The ecosystem of Koroneia - - Riheios River - Macedonian Tembi Langadas can be considered as part of the grater region of the ecosystem of “Koroneia -Volvi - Riheios River - Macedonian Tembi” that constitutes one of the eleven most important water biotopes of . It is recognized and is protected by the “Ramsar” – “Natura 2000” treaty together with other international conditions. In this particular ecosystem, the Koroneia Lake (also known as the Lake of “Langadas” or the Lake of “Agiou Vasileiou”) faces huge problems, since it doesn’t host any living organisms since 1995. The main reason for that is the pollution of the water due to the adjacent industries and the significant reduction of the water level. 3. Koroneia Lake 4. Richeios River

Table 1.1 summarises the main physical constraints that can be met at the area of the Municipality of Langadas.

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Table 1.1: The main physical constraints per Local Municipal Entity of the Municipality of Langadas Physical constraints per Municipal Entity Local Municipal Sea - Lakes – Entities Forests gulches – Rivers

Vertiskos 

Kallindion 

Koroneia  

Langadas 

Lachanas 

Sochos  Source: [3]

Picture 1.2 is a satellite photograph that provides a view of the geography of the area. The most important geographic constraints are highlighted by the reference number of the main text of this paragraph.

Picture 1.2: A satellite photograph of the Langadas site

Ecosystem of Koroneia-Volvi- Richieios-Macedonian Tembi

Koroneia Lake

Source: [2]

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Table 1.2: Physical and geographic attributes of the Local Municipal Entities of the Municipality of Langadas

Other Municipal Mountain Water areas Lake Rivers Forest Caves natural entity chain resources

Assiros Gallikos

Mountain of Public forest of Cave of Vertiskos Vertiskos Vertiskos Sevasteia (1.103 m), Mountain of Public forest of Cave at Kallindion Chortiatis – Adam Adam (1.201 m) - Petrokerasa

Water area of Municipal forest Koroneia Koroneia, Volvi Volvi - Koroneia of

Water area of Geothermal Langadas Koroneia Volvi - Koroneia field

Mountain of Municipal forest Vertiskos of Lachanas (1.103 m), Mountain of Vertiskos Public forest of (1.103 m), , Sochos Volvi Mountain of Municipal forest Kerdillion of Krioneri (1.092 m) Source: [3]

1.3 Transport and mobility infrastructure offered The basic road network of the area is comprised by:  Part of the Thessaloniki – Kavala National road  Part of the “Egnatia” National Road, which is one of the major transportation axes at national level  Local network, connecting the various settlements, most of which lacks in design and maintenance

2 Socioeconomic and demographic structure

In this section, the main population characteristics are being presented. The data are based on the official census data of the Hellenic Statistics Author as well as on previous transport and development studies that were focused more or less on the Langadas site.

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Table 2.1 presents the permanent population per Municipal entity, the surface with and without the water lands, the population density and the mean altitude level.

Table 2.1: Population, surface and population density of Municipalities and Municipal districts at the Langadas Municipality.

Surface (km2) Population Municipalities and Permanent density per Mean Municipal With Without population km2 of total altitude level internal internal waters waters surface

Municipal Entity of Assiros 3638 76,657 76,657 47,458 198 Assiros 2216 55,369 55,369 40,022 186 Krithia 1422 21,288 21,288 66,798 220 Municipal Entity of Vertiskos 1923 196,613 196,613 9,78 524 Ossa 456 59,12 59,12 7,71 627 Vertiskos 394 46,629 46,629 8,45 740 Eksalofos 626 38,097 38,097 16,432 410 Lofiskos 447 52,767 52,767 8,471 445 Municipal Entity of Kallindoia 3592 154,748 154,748 23,212 248 Zagliveri 2171 63,224 63,224 34,338 205 Adam 481 18,146 18,146 26,507 240 Nea Kalindoia 563 29,418 29,418 19,138 220 Petrokerasa 228 27,398 27,398 8,322 520 Sarakina 149 15,562 15,562 9,575 258 Municipal Entity of Koroneia 4092 105,613 84,488 48,433 136 Gerakarou 1223 17,847 17,597 69,5 140 Aghios Vasileios 1309 28,271 18,821 69,55 100 Adramerio 251 22,871 22,021 11,398 350 Vasiloudio 673 23,021 11,721 57,418 140 Langadikia 636 13,603 13,603 46,754 110 Municipal Entity of Langadas 19587 197,411 174,861 112,015 113 Langadas 7764 31,761 29,311 264,883 110 Analipsi 633 29,65 24,625 25,706 115 Irakleio 1278 9,825 9,825 130,076 105 Kavalari 1993 43,642 38,092 52,321 85 Kolchiko 2062 45,449 35,924 57,399 140 Lagina 3591 13,435 13,435 267,287 125 Perivolaki 1160 7,625 7,625 152,131 110 Chrysavgi 1106 16,024 16,024 69,021 120

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Municipal Entity of Lachanas 2441 210,09 210,09 11,619 558 Xilopoli 855 34,422 34,422 24,839 540 Kartera 648 83,719 83,719 7,740 551 Lachana 568 47,602 47,602 11,932 584 Lefkochori 236 23,998 23,998 9,834 580 Nikopoli 134 20,349 20,349 6,585 570 Municipality of Sochos 5830 281,518 280,193 20,807 590 Sochos 3094 153,042 153,042 20,216 630 Askos 1426 69,821 68,496 20,819 480 Krioneri 1310 58,655 58,655 22,334 620 Langadas Municipality in total 41103 1222,65 1177,65 34,903 240,538

Source:[4] [5]

In Figure 3.1 the permanent population of the Municipalities is being presented in decreasing order of size. The figure shows that the most populated Municipal Entity is the one of Langadas, while the ones of Sochos and Koroneia follow having a population that ranges approximately from 6.000 to 4.000 residents. The rest of the Municipal entities have a population between approximately 4.000 and 2.000 people.

Figure 2.1: Permanent population of the Municipal Entities of Langadas at decreasing order of size.

Municipal entities' population 25000

19587 20000

15000

10000 5830 5000 4092 3638 3592 2441 1923

0 Langadas Sochos Koroneia Assiros Kallindoia Lachanas Vertiskos

Source: [4], processed by TSRG

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Picture 2.1: Population distribution at the former Langadas county (Municipality of Langadas and Municipality of Volvi)

Table 2.2 showcases the progress of the population of the Municipality during the decade 2001-2011. The Municipal entities of Sochos and Langadas show a significant population growth. The greatest decrease occurred in Lachanas. Finally, the Langadas Municipality in total had an increase of the population by 4,96%.

Table 2.2: The percentage change of the permanent population of the Municipal entities of the Municipality of Langadas

Permanent Permanent Population Municipalities population (2011) population (2001) change

Assiros 3638 3756 -3,14%

Vertiskos 1923 2008 -4,23%

Kallindion 3592 3936 -8,74%

Koroneia 4092 3932 4,07%

Langadas 19587 17014 15,12%

Lachanas 2441 3018 -19,12%

Sochos 5830 5496 6,08%

Municipality of Langadas 41103 39160 4,96%

Source: [4]

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The following figure displays that the citizens above 70 years of age constitute the dominant age group in the Municipality of Langadas. It should be noted that these citizens are in most case the ones that have more complex transportation needs and are not familiar with the latest technology developments.

Figure 2.2: Age distribution of the permanent population

Age groups 8,000 7,509 7,000 5,752 6,000 5,676 4,734 4,649 5,000 4,272 4,228 4,283 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+

Source: [4]

As far as the gender distribution is concerned, the population seems to be divided almost equally into females and males (20358 males, 20745 females). Hence, it can be considered that gender does not influence significantly the public transport market. The vast majority of the area’s inhabitants are of Greek nationality (39.148 people)

As far as the population’s economic activities are concerned, of the 11590 working citizens, 1883 are working in the primary sector, 2831 in the secondary sector while 6876 are working in the tertiary sector. 3443 citizens face unemployment.

Figure 2.3: Employed citizens per economic sector

primary sector 16%

primary sector secondary sector secondary tertiary sector tertiary sector sector 25% 59%

Source: [4]

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3 Regional public transport systems

Most of the Municipality of Langadas is covered by lines of the Thessaloniki urban bus transport system (OASTh), while the rest of the area is served by lines of the Thessaloniki Interurban (semi- rural) Bus Transport system (KTEL). Moreover, since late 2009 several pilot local bus lines have been established in the framework of a pilot programme funded by government, as an answer to the citizens’ complaints regarding the infrequent bus services and the relatively high price of KTEL fares in comparison with the OASTh ones.

In essence, three key stakeholders, SASTh, OASTh and KTEL are involved in public transport provision at the Langadas area. 1. SASTh: Urban Public Transport Authority of Thessaloniki The Urban Public Transport Authority of Thessaloniki is an 11-member public administrative body of the Greater Metropolitan Area of Thessaloniki. It was established to operate as an executive board by the Law 2898/2001. The Board of the Urban Public Transport has members-representatives of various main Government agencies and Local Authorities, educational organisations and workers associations. Its responsibilities refer directly to the strategic planning, programming, supervision as well as operational and quality control of all public transportation modes and operators of a wider region (Prefecture) of Thessaloniki. The Board operates according to specific duties and priorities towards the improvement of the public transport system of Thessaloniki. For instance, it is responsible for the planning and study of new coverage areas, and for taking decisions about every issue related to planning, scheduling, monitoring and control the works and services of all public transport modes in the Greater Metropolitan Area. SASTh also has the functional supervision of OASTh, the sole private bus operator in Thessaloniki (operating under a contractual arrangement with the Hellenic Government). Main emphasis is given to study, control and solve complex social and technical issues in order to improve, with the collaboration of all local authorities and agencies of Thessaloniki’s Metropolitan Area, the level of service offered to the bus passengers.

2. O.A.S.Th.: Organisation of Urban Transportation of Thessaloniki OASTh is a legal entity with private interest which was founded on 1957 with Government Decree number 3721/1957 and serves as the public carrier in the Province of Thessaloniki assisted with concession agreements (financial concessions) that are signed between the Greek Government and O.A.S.Th. The current OASTH fleet employs the following vehicles:

 618 + 4 Buses (Euro IV & V, 80% fully accessible)  245 Articulated (145 – 160 passengers  334 Single deck (100 passengers)

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 13 Single deck (85 passengers)  22 Mini (45 passengers)  1 Single deck (35 passengers, "Cultural Route")  3 Super mini (9 passengers, special order for Old Town's narrow streets)  4 Special Mini (7 passengers + 4 Wheelchairs)

OASTh covers the Municipality of Langadas with 4 bus lines (No 83, 85, 86, 91). The bus lines cover the following routes:  Direct connection Municipality of Langadas with Thessaloniki o Νο 83 Langadas – Thessaloniki, express line o Νο 83Μ Langadas – Thessaloniki (serving thermal baths) o Νο 83Ν Stavroupoli – Langadas (serving Ano Lagyna) o Νο 85 connecting Thessaloniki with Assiros ad Lachanas o No 86 connecting with the Koroneia lake area  Local feeder lines connecting parts of Municipality of Langadas via the interchange station with OASTh buses o Νο 91 A &B Langadas – Analipsi (connecting eastern settlements) o Νο 91Ε Langadas – Assiros – Krithia o Νο 91Η Langadas – Iraklio – Perivolaki – lagyna – Kavalari – Langadas (connecting westerns settlements) o Νο 91Κ and Νο 91Χ (new local circle line)

Picture 3.1: The transport network of OASTh.

85

5

83

5 91

5

86

5

Source: [6], processed by TSRG

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It should be noted that OASTh is offering a special DRT service for free transport of people with disabilities and on a yearly basis it assists by transferring 12.000 people with disabilities (with wheelchairs or other movement impairments) using 4 buses (3 on duty and 1 on stand-by) especially designed for such duties. The DRT service apart from the special adapted minibuses has also a simple travel dispatch centre for the booking management and the allocation of vehicles.

OASTh has also installed satellite surveillance devices on all busses for their tracking and optimum bus circulation management. This system also informs the passenger on board with audio and visual announcements of the next bus stop as well as display the arrival times on 200 “smart” bus stops.

3. KTEL of Thessaloniki The “KTEL of Thessaloniki” is an incorporated company and its operation is based on the Law 2963/2001 and on Ministerial Decisions. KTEL of Thessaloniki serves as an exclusive public transport operator (bus lines) for part of Municipality of Langadas that is not being served by OASTh. The provided interurban lines connect the city of Thessaloniki with the settlements of the following Municipal Entities: Vertiskos, Kallindion, Sochos. The existing coverage of the areas is not deemed sufficient according to local authorities.

 Local feeder lines connecting areas over lakes and the interchange station at Langadas with KTEL buses o Langadas – Vertiskos o Langadas – Sochos – (Askos – ) o Langadas – – Askos – Sochos (- Arethousa) o Langadas – Kolchiko – Drakontio – Analipsi – Evangelismos – – Profitis – Scholari – Nimfopetra – Rentina – Stavros –  Direct interurban KTEL bus lines to Thessaloniki: o Thessaloniki – Zagliveri (direct line) o Thessaloniki – Asprovalta via Egnatia odos and also via two alternative old road routes o Thessaloniki – Nikomidino – – Peristeronas – Loutra Volvis – – Apollonia – – Kokkalou – N. – Modi.

The Taxis

According to existing data, there are currently 39 taxis domiciled in the Municipality of Langadas. It should be mentioned that taxis domiciled in Langadas County are not allowed to transfer people from the wider area of the city of Thessaloniki to the Municipality. This means that they have to return to the Municipality empty, without any passengers, if they had carried any customers to the City of Thessaloniki.

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The majority of taxis are operating at the Municipal Entity of Langadas ,while a large number of taxis is also operating at the Municipal Entities of Sochos and Kallindion.

4 References

1. GIS of the Municipality of Langadas http://gis.lagadas.gr/ Accessed on 3rd September 2014 2. Google maps processed by TSRG 3. DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THESSALONIKI S.A. – Development Societe Anonyme LAG (ANETH)”, Plan of Local Programme Leader+ for the Prefecture of Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki: Development Agency of Thessaloniki, 2001 4. Hellenic Statistics Authority, Official Census data 2011. 5. Papoulidou Efterpi, Diplom Thesis: Trends and development perspectives of the Thessaloniki Prefecture. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Civil Engineering Department: Division of Transport, Infrastructure, Management and Development, Thessaloniki, October 2008. 6. Genitsaris E., Diplom Thesis: “The County of Langadas: Current public passenger transport services and the prospects of providing Flexible Transport Services”, Supervisor: Professor A. Naniopoulos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Civil Engineering, September 2009.

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