For the fifth consecutive term as President of KTEL Heraklion–Lassithi, Mr. Manolis Hachlioutis speaks to tornosnews.gr about the vision, challenges, and strategic moves that make the organization a pillar of transportation for Crete.
From fleet renewal and investments in digital solutions to cultural routes and social responsibility, the president of KTEL explains how the company combines support for tourism development with service to the local community, while also preparing for the new era brought by Kastelli Airport and the VOAK highway.
Mr. Hachlioutis, you have been re-elected for the fifth consecutive term as President of KTEL Heraklion–Lassithi, with the unanimous support of shareholders. What do you believe is the “key” to this continuous trust?
The trust of shareholders and partners is the result of consistency, targeted investments, transparency, and constant improvement of our services. From the very beginning, I invested in teamwork, fleet renewal, technological development, and staff training. Our decisions are always guided by the interests of both the company and our passengers—something that is consistently recognized and appreciated.
Crete’s tourist season now lasts for many months. What initiatives has KTEL undertaken to ensure reliable and comfortable service for visitors, from arrival to departure?
The tourist season in Crete has indeed been extended, which requires a strong and flexible transport network. To better serve visitors, we increased routes to tourist destinations and inland areas, extended service hours, created express routes, and invested in new, safer buses with even more amenities. This year, we delivered a modern new station in Moires, Messara, significantly strengthening our infrastructure. The new station facilitates travel for residents and visitors, enhances the area’s tourism offering, and contributes to its economic growth.
At the same time, in cooperation with MD Hellas, we hosted Erasmus students from Italy, Germany, and Austria for the first time, who worked at the central station providing multilingual service to visitors. With technology as our ally, we also offer reliable information both at stations and on our online platforms, while new ticket machines at central stations and bus stops ensure quick and easy ticket issuance.
Recently, the collaboration with the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum and the creation of a special route to Myrtia were announced. How important do you consider such cultural routes for showcasing the island’s inland areas and connecting them with tourism?
Our collaboration with the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum and the creation of the Myrtia line is part of our strategy to highlight the island’s hinterland. Such routes offer visitors authentic experiences and create new opportunities for local communities. We firmly support cultural tourism because it is a comparative advantage for Crete.
The €23 million contract for student transportation highlights the social role of KTEL. How do you balance between your social mission and tourism development?
Our social role is non-negotiable. We transport students, workers, and residents of remote areas daily, and we provide special fares for university students, large families, people with disabilities, military personnel, and security service employees.
At the same time, we invest in high-quality services for visitors to support the tourism economy. The balance comes through proper planning and continuous upgrading of our services. At KTEL Heraklion–Lassithi, there is no complacency.
The new Kastelli Airport and the Northern Road Axis of Crete (VOAK) bring new prospects for transportation on the island. What is KTEL’s strategy to respond to the increased demand and upgrade its services?
The new Kastelli Airport and VOAK will reshape transportation in Crete. We are planning new express routes, “smart” transfer stations, and are leveraging technology to meet the growing needs with a complete transport network for Crete. We are already working on investments in next-generation buses that are even more environmentally friendly.
The new KTEL mobile app marks a clear shift toward digital transformation. What do you expect from this transition, and what are the next steps in technology adoption?
Our app allows passengers to book tickets online, track routes in real time, and receive notifications about schedule changes. Digital transformation is a strategic choice to bring KTEL Heraklion–Lassithi closer to passengers while reducing bureaucracy and costs. We are continuously working on technological solutions that make our passengers’ experience smarter, easier, greener, and more user-friendly.
Each year, KTEL Heraklion–Lassithi transports millions of passengers, both locals and tourists. Can you share some figures for 2024—how many passengers you served in total and what percentage of them were visitors to the island?
In 2024, we transported approximately 3.6 million passengers, of which about 2 million were visitors to the island. These figures prove that KTEL Heraklion–Lassithi remains the leading transport provider in Crete, supporting both the local economy and tourism development.
