CYPRUS IS MOTORING INTO THE FUTURE
AN OVERALL LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Cyprus has no metro or train system, so PUBLIC TRANSPORT, although reliable, is very basic. Mainly consisting of public and intercity buses, the PUBLIC TRANSPORT system on the island as a whole is a little hit and miss. Whilst pensioners, students, and migrant workers take full advantage of the PUBLIC TRANSPORT system, everyone else seems to favour a car to get around the island.
A FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
The island’s lack of PUBLIC TRANSPORT and its climate are the main reasons why high car usage exists on the island. Although the PUBLIC TRANSPORT system has massively improved in recent times, most residents still prefer to rely on a car. Often too hot to walk in the sun during the day, residents often use a car even for short distances. This is also directly reflected by the fact that the average number of cars per household is two. Add to this the fact that INSURANCE costs for driving are generally low compared to the rest of Europe, it seems that using the car is the best option for most.
AN INCREASING NUMBER OF CARS
In a bid to keep up with the increasing number of cars, overall road quality on the island has recently improved. In addition to this, several new road projects are also underway. Road safety concerns have also been addressed, and this has seen the introduction of island-wide TRAFFIC CAMERAS that automatically record traffic violations.
NO SUPPORTING TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
Recent car use has also increased because of the sudden influx of population to the island. Several new developments, mainly in the suburbs, do not have supporting transport infrastructure. This means that people living there have no option but to rely on a car. This, in turn, has created extra vehicles on the road, which has ultimately created higher congestion throughout the island. The two-lane highways have also come under scrutiny. Many claim that these motorways are no longer fit for purpose. Whilst there are plans to introduce new city ring roads to ease congestion, their full construction is still many years away from completion. It is thought that when these 4-lane ring-roads are introduced, they will reduce traffic congestion. This should make travelling to the suburbs and surrounding villages much more comfortable.
CAR SHARING, E-BIKE & E-SCOOTERS
Car-sharing stations have also appeared in each city, and electric bike and scooter hire have recently become popular. The Bolt app reveals the nearest rental centres, and the WAZE app often identifies traffic hotspots in real-time. Electric bicycle and scooter hire are available not only in city centres, but also in several residential areas. Most can be hired on the spot by simply scanning their QR codes. These cost-effective modes of light transport are becoming more popular as they offer an environmentally friendly alternative to other forms of urban transport.
IMPROVED BUS SERVICES
BUS SERVICES have also seen recent improvements with the addition of new routes and the expansion of existing BUS SCHEDULES. The bus service as a whole has become much more regular and punctual, and most of the regular buses now appear every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes at weekends. Suburban routes, to surrounding villages, run about every hour on weekdays and at set times over weekends and public holidays. The villages that make up the city’s suburbs are further connected to several other distant villages by smaller buses for the price of a local bus trip.
