Broken mobility: An exploratory study on public transport and youth-mistrust in contemporary Greece

Abstract

In recent years, Greece’s mobility infrastructure has been increasingly criticized for its unreliability, territorial disparity, and lack of transparency. These systemic issues have been exacerbated by socio-political unrest and tragic events, most notably the 2023 Tempi railway disaster. Through a mixed-methods approach; combining surveys, qualitative interviews, and participatory workshops, this study analyses how a group of Greek youth experience and interpret public transport. The findings reveal a fragmented system shaped by underinvestment, poor planning, and civic disconnection. Beyond infrastructure, the research highlights the emotional and political dimensions of mobility, with recurrent distrust in institutions, normalized resignation, and reliance on individual strategies. Ultimately, the article argues that transport in Greece might not simply be a technical challenge but also a perceived erosion of democracy, and calls for a redefinition of transport policy as a central element of social justice and public accountability.