The heavy sky and light rain didn't deter Ilias Alanidis, a retiree from central Thessaloniki, from coming to observe the progress of the long-awaited metro in this northern Greek metropolis in November. "Finally, our ordeal is almost over. We'll have the opportunity to live car-free. Our lives are going to change!" said the man in his 60s, who has lived in this city of over 1 million inhabitants since 1985. Incredulous, a passer-by teased a foreman outside the Agia Sofia metro station, as he emerged from underground, a blue helmet on his head: "Are you really going to be ready for the inauguration on November 30?" he asked.

For 15 years, shopkeepers on Egnatia Street have been subjected to the sounds of jackhammers and scaffolding on the sidewalks. Rents have risen steadily in recent years in anticipation of the new metro, while customers, irritated by the hustle and bustle of the construction work, have deserted the shopping street. As a result, dozens of stores have closed. "I've survived, and I can only rejoice at the inauguration of the metro. But how many colleagues have gone bankrupt in the meantime? The municipality should have helped us," said shoe store owner Giorgos Karageorgios.

Constant traffic jams, a shortage of parking spaces and inadequate bus services and bike lanes have turned the city center into chaos. For many city dwellers, the metro will be a step toward a more pleasant city. The first section of the driverless metro is set to cover 13 stations over 9.8 kilometers in just 17 minutes. In addition, a new ring road is under construction to reduce traffic congestion in the city center.

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