Civil disobedience in Greece's second largest city

Civil disobedience in Greece's second largest city, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Members of the "We Won't Pay" campaign take over buses in Thessaloniki, Greece in protests over the latest round of bus fare increases which have pushed up ticket prices by up to 180%.

The PASOK minister for transport, Demtrios Reppas responded by calling those taking part "freeloaders" while the government hastily passed legislation making failure to pay bus tickets a criminal offence.It is ironic that Reppas who has, as a member of Greek parliament since 1981 been entitled to free travel for three decades is now accusing those who refuse to pay fare and toll price hikes of ranging from 40% to 300% of being unreasonable.

For more on the aims and actions of the organisation (in Greek but tyou can use Google Translate).

http://epibates-thess.blogspot.com/

Angry consumers in protests against rising prices - Thessaloniki, Greece

Angry consumers in protests against rising prices - Thessaloniki, Greece, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

About 1000 protesters marched through the centre of Greece's second largest city angered by massive price hikes in basics such as public transport, power and road tolls. Even though incomes are dropping inflation has tripled over the last 12 months.

For more information (in Greek)

epibates-thess.blogspot.com

Greek consumer groups condemn second round of price rises for bus passengers

Greek consumer groups condemn second round of price rises for bus passengers, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

For the second time in less than a year Greek bus users are being faced with prices rises of between 30% and 180%. Despite growing unemployment and a substantial drop in salaries the government is insisting on passeners paying more for public transport.

In contrast with most other EU countries there are no reduced ticket prices for pensioners, the unemployed and other low income groups.

For more on the ongoing protests check out the their blog

epibates-thess.blogspot.com/

(You can use Google Translate to read the page in English and other languages)

Greek consumer groups organise bus ticket boycott

Greek consumer groups organise bus ticket boycott, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Faced with yet more hikes in public transport prices Greek consumer groups go on the offensive with nationwide protest by refusing to buy ride buses, trains and underground tickets. Angry consumers sealed ticket machines and encouraged fellow passengers to not buy tickets today in response to the second major ticket price increases which range from 33 to 180%.

With the Greek government anxious to cut public spending and raise revenue Athens has announced large cuts in public transport subsidies and increases in the cost of road tolls, trains ticket prices and other utilities such as electricity. However, with incomes plunging, the economy shrinking by nearly 5% and unemployment spiralling out of control such moves have angered Greek voters who are facing the most difficult financial conditions in a generation

Tomorrow activists have announced that they will direct their attentions to the country's motorway toll system which has also announced massive increases which have made the cost of travelling by road prohibitively expensive. It is currently cheaper to go from Athens to the country's second city, Thessaloniki by air than to drive.

More photographs can be found on the Demotix news service website.