How it all started in the medium that has transported millions of Greeks to their intercity destinations. Who hasn’t really used the long-distance buses on their first trip? Groups of people were made an appointment in Kifissos district (where the CFBR departure and arrival point is). Several people took their first vacation, travelling on the long-distance buses. Others went and still go to their particular homelands in the countryside. But how many people know exactly what KTEL (CFBR) means?
We can’t say it’s anything unrelated to the service it offers, but it’s not the first thing that comes to mind. Let’s take a look at their story first. The KTEL are transport companies that serve the transportation of passengers between Greek cities using long-distance buses. We also call KTEL the boarding stations. “Rendezvous at the KTEL”, “See you at the KTEL”, are expressions that remind us many things.
How it all started
In 1912, the first decree on transportation in the Greek province was issued. On the 1st of July in the same year, an international tender was launched for the concession of the operation of country roads to a car company. This tender concerned the streets of Tripoli – Sparta and Lamia – Karpenisi. Under this regime, each bus was a separate business, leading to anarchy in timetables and ticket prices. The situation has been addressed by subsequent governments by enacting laws and presidential decrees.
In the period 1927-1930, the Joint Directorates of Urban and Long Distance Buses were created. It was the first attempt to organize the fleet and its operating framework. The war that followed changed everything. The buses were ordered by the country’s armed forces. After the end of World War II, buses became the main means of public transport. You see, the railroad network was very damaged.
The 104 routes
And we arrive in 1952. Then the KTEL were created covering 104 routes: 59 long-distance routes and 45 urban ones. Common Funds for Bus Receipts. This is the meaning of KTEL (CFBR). In 1968 they were renamed KTEYL (CFLDBR) (Common Funds for Long Distance Bus Receipts). From 1973 until today, the organization returned to the classic KTEL name.
In 1984, urban buses were permanently separated. In 2001 the way they operate changed again. To get to 2003, where, under a new law, bus companies all over the country were turned into anonymous companies.
Today there are 59 bus companies (in the form of anonymous companies). Their fleet lists 4,136 buses. They serve the transportation of the passenger public between the provincial cities and the major urban centres (Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Volos, Heraklion, Larissa).
Can I ask you a question? What time does the bus leave?
Frequently Asked Questions
KTEL stands for 'Common Funds for Bus Receipts' (CFBR in English). The acronym was established in 1952 when the KTEL system was created to organize intercity bus transportation in Greece. In 1968, it was temporarily renamed KTEYL (Common Funds for Long Distance Bus Receipts), but returned to the KTEL name in 1973, which remains in use today.
KTEL was officially created in 1952, covering 104 routes across Greece (59 long-distance routes and 45 urban routes). However, the history of organized intercity transportation in Greece began earlier, with the first transportation decree issued in 1912 and attempts to organize bus operations during the 1927-1930 period through Joint Directorates of Urban and Long Distance Buses.
Today, there are 59 KTEL bus companies operating throughout Greece in the form of anonymous companies. Their combined fleet consists of 4,136 buses that serve transportation between provincial cities and major urban centers including Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Volos, Heraklion, and Larissa.
KTEL underwent several significant changes: created in 1952 as Common Funds for Bus Receipts, renamed to KTEYL in 1968, returned to KTEL in 1973, permanently separated urban buses in 1984, changed operational methods in 2001, and transformed all bus companies into anonymous companies in 2003. These changes helped organize and modernize Greece's intercity transportation system.
After World War II ended, KTEL buses became the main means of public transport in Greece because the country's railroad network was severely damaged during the war. The buses were initially commandeered by Greece's armed forces during the conflict, but after the war ended, they were essential for restoring passenger transportation across the country until the rail infrastructure could be rebuilt.
