The section of the western extension of the Proastiakos suburban railway that runs between Corinth, west of Athens, and the town of Kiato, opened to commuters yesterday.

The journey from Athens to Kiato takes about one hour and 45 minutes and a one-way ticket costs 8 euros. A ticket from Athens International Airport costs 10 euros.

Trains reach speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour along the 21-kilometer section.

Some 20,000 people use the Proastiakos each day. The Kiato extension is expected to be used by around 500 commuters a day.

The new station at Kiato will act as hub for Patras-bound trains. The suburban railway is expected to head further westward, to Xylokastro, by 2009.