Driving in Cyprus

PASSENGER numbers across the island have risen 41 per cent since the new public transport system was put in place two months ago, the communications minister said yesterday.

Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis said some 1.7 million passengers travelled on the buses in July and August 2010, compared to 1.2 million in the same period last year.

Larnaca topped the list with a 390 per cent increase, carrying 49,000 passengers compared to 10,000 in 2009.

In Nicosia, 740,000 people used the bus – 140,000 more than last year, chalking up a 24 per cent increase.

Limassol recorded a 22 per cent increase with 110,000 passengers while the Famagusta bus company carried 245,800 people – a 59 per cent hike.

Paphos was close with a 55 per cent increase or 543,511 passengers.

During the same period, intercity buses recorded a 54 per cent increase in travellers to 30,000 compared to 19,500 in 2009.

“We are satisfied … with the development so far. We are still at the beginning, we should all show understanding and patience to see this system gradually develop in the manner we all want it to develop,” Marcoullis told reporters at parliament where she briefed the Communications Committee on the operation of the new system.

The minister urged any members of the public who might have suggestions, complaints or demands, to submit them so that the necessary corrective actions are taken regarding specific routes and specific timetables that need to be covered.

As regards bus-stop signs, Marcoullis said 4,013 have been installed so far with 2,000 more in the pipeline mainly for rural areas in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca.

“The Paphos and Famagusta districts have been fully covered with bus stops,” she said.

The new service provides lower priced tickets of €1 as opposed to the previous €1.30, with monthly tickets costing just €30. There is also greater frequency of buses and newer vehicles equipped with air-conditioning.

New buses are already in operation in Nicosia and Paphos while Limassol expects delivery inside November.

The scheme, which bus companies entered to create the new service, sets 2013 as the deadline for companies to renew their fleets.

The procedure to compensate bus owners who opted not to join the new scheme is still ongoing.

The deadline for the submission of compensation applications ends on December 31, 2010.

Huge boost for public transport – Cyprus Mail.

THE government yesterday agreed to satisfy the paraplegic association’s demand for two wheelchair spaces in public buses instead of one – the current configuration.

Following a meeting with Communications Minister Erato Kozakou Markoullis and the director of the transport department, the association said all buses ordered from now on would have space for two wheelchairs.

The new bus system, which includes an overhaul of the ageing fleets, was officially launched in early July as the government tries to increase public transport use from two per cent to ten per cent by 2019.

“If demand shows that the current new buses – those bought so far — need to have two spaces for wheelchairs then they will be modified,” the association said in a written statement

The association had complained that the new buses could not meet the demand of around 2,500 people who are permanent wheelchair users or have mobility problems or are wheelchair-bound because of temporary injuries.

The two sides also agreed to organise seminars to train drivers to properly serve passengers with disabilities.

Buses will have more wheelchair space – Cyprus Mail.

THE NEW public buses do not meet disability requirements having only one space for wheelchairs instead of the necessary two, the paraplegics association said yesterday.

“At the moment around 2,500 people are permanent wheelchair users, while people with movement difficulties, or temporary injuries – who also need wheelchairs – make up a sizable figure. The buses’ capacity simply cannot meet demands,” association chairman Demetris Lambrianides said.

After contacting the manufacturing company, the association was informed that the particular line of buses has the capacity to hold up to three wheelchair spaces upon customer requests.

But authorities made provision for only one such space, despite having been informed of the association’s requirements from last year.

Lambrianides said this was “criminal” disregard for the transportation needs of the elderly, and people with disabilities in Cyprus.

The association demands the Ministry intervenes to rectify the situation, calling for the next shipment of buses to be of the given specification as well as calling for an upgrade of the existing buses.

The association is waiting for the Communications Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis to call a meeting to discuss the issue further. Ministry officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The new bus system, which includes an overhaul of the aging fleets, was officially launched in early July as the government tries to increase public transport use from two per cent to ten per cent by 2019.

The new scheme promises easy and efficient transport throughout the island, including both inner city and inter-city transport, introducing a greater frequency of buses, more routes including night buses, reduced fares and state-of-the-art vehicles.

‘Criminal disregard’ for the disabled – Cyprus Mail.

THE NEW Nicosia bus system, although a month behind schedule, will be fully operational with new timetables ready for distribution by the end of the month, said the head of OSEL, the company running the capital’s buses.

Iordanis Iordanou said that since the company took over operations of the Nicosia bus system last month, 20 out of the 21 planned bus routes have been introduced. OSEL was using the downtime of the slow summer months in the capital to train drivers on the 21st route which cuts across Nicosia.

Previously, Iordanou had promised to complete the new system for Nicosia by August 1, with timetables and routes made available to the public. However, by August 2, only 20 of the 21 routes were introduced, and the information leaflets had yet to be sent for printing.

“The timetables have been finished and sent off to the printers. They’ll be ready sometime around August 20. We’ll be printing around 300,000 pocket leaflets with the timetables and routes for all 21 routes planned for Nicosia,” said Iordanou.

Another 150,000 leaflets with information on single routes will also be printed for each of the 21 routes. These leaflets will show the passenger which other bus routes pass through each bus stop on that specific route, allowing them to plan a more diverse route across the capital.

The leaflets will be printed in Greek and English and will be distributed at bus stops, in buses and placed in popular magazines.

“By September 1, we will go full steam ahead with our advertising campaign. We also have 20 new buses that have arrived for the rural routes, which will also start from September 1,” said the OSEL chief.

The government has made popular use of island-wide public transport a target, with the aim of increasing public use of buses from two per cent to ten per cent by 2019. The new scheme promises easy and efficient transport throughout the island, including both inner city and inter-city transport, introducing a greater frequency of buses, more routes including night buses, reduced fares and state of the art vehicles.

The new system was officially launched in early July, despite efforts by parliament to postpone it until after the summer. Deputies showed a sensitive ear to disgruntled bus drivers who failed to negotiate new terms of employment or compensation with the Communications Ministry and new bus companies.

The drivers’ lawyer Charalambos Prountzos has claimed that around half of the licensed buses across the island are out of the system, with the biggest opposition to the new scheme found in Cyprus, where 300 of the 470 licensed buses are not part of the system.

The ministry stuck to its guns however and went ahead with its implementation, saying its doors remained open for the remaining bus drivers to discuss compensation or employment.

Iordanou did not rule out more routes for the Nicosia district once the 21 were fully operational.

“People are using the buses. Despite the summer months, we’re seeing a good increase. Touch wood, it’s going well,” he said.

Changes being felt but people still confused

By Darya Alikhani and Ariadne Lindahl

PROMISING easy and efficient transport with new vehicles, new routes, increased frequency and night buses as well as reduced fares, some changes can already be felt by those using public transport.

Leila Dapat, a regular user said: “Since July, the buses are all new and air conditioned. Before they were horrible. It’s also cheaper”

A monthly bus card which used to cost €45 is now down to €30. A single bus ticket within Nicosia has gone down from €1.30 to €1 and travelling to the surrounding villages used to cost €4 but is now down to €2.

At the moment, some confusion still reigns as regards to promised routes and the timetables, which were supposed to be in place by August 1.

The information available varies online. The OSEL website currently has a timetable up that is not yet in use with three-digit bus routes like 112, while the website for Nicosia Buses – no longer the company name – has one that resembles the old system, which is partly out of date.

Only the timetables available at the Solomou Square bus kiosk are correct for the time being, even though they may also change at a moment’s notice so people are to regularly check schedules. Users can also call the OSEL helpline at 77 77 77 55.

Commenting on his experience, first-time user Anoja from Sri Lanka said: “They were helpful!” referring to bus staff manning the kiosk. Marian from the Philippines who takes the bus every weekend also had no complaints.

There were a few however, who were less than satisfied. “The buses are late” said Michael from Deftera, an everyday user. Maroulla, a pensioner added: “It’s better than a week ago, but they still need to work on organising things.” Rana Boulan Akhtar from Pakistan said: “Sometimes they’re late, but they’re ok”.

Most of those using the buses are immigrants and pensioners some of whom appeared to be having a hard time. “I’m a senior citizen and I have problems with my heart, I can’t wait in this heat so much,” said Maria Demetriades. She said the metal benches, which attract the heat should be replaced, and more shade should be provided for those waiting.

Cyprus Mail

NICOSIA – Solomou Square in the heart of the city will be transformed into a modern and functional transport hub, mayor Eleni Mavrou said on Friday.
She was talking to the press after signing the contract with Cybarco. The project is estimated to cost €4.8 million.
“With the completion of the project, the public will have easy and environment-friendly access to the historic part of the city but also to the modern commercial centre,” she said.
The project will be completed in two phases, with the first one scheduled to begin within days and be completed in three months’ time.
The second phase is expected to be completed in about a year’s time. No roads will be blocked off.

Cyprus Weeklyl

THE umbrella company running the new island wide bus system hopes to increase the public use of buses from two per cent to 10 percent by 2019.

“We envisaged a perfect system in the whole city and district of Nicosia, an easily accessible system available to all citizens,” said Iordanis Iordanou, the president of OSEL, the company in charge of the new service which started operating just over a week ago.

“We envisaged a system that would give real options of safe and comfortable transport to the young, the working, the students, the housewives, the elderly and to people with special needs.”

The new scheme promises easy and efficient transport through increased frequency of buses, more routes including night buses, reduced fares and new state of the art vehicles.

Although the new system was officially launched last Monday, the only felt changes so far are the reduced fares and new vehicles. Many of the new promised routes are still not running, creating some confusion amongst the public, and no timetables have yet been published. Routes can currently only be accessed on the OSEL website www.osel.com.cy

Iordanou, however, promised that “the complete system for Nicosia will be in place by August 1, and the public will be informed with timetables and routes which will be distributed”.

Iordanou expressed OSEL’s aims to develop public transport and gradually change the culture and mentality of the use of private cars in Cyprus, starting with children, by implementing various programmes through the Education Ministry and the Communication Ministry.

“We want to convince the people of Nicosia, where there is also the biggest circulation problem, that the bus should be their first choice, because it is more economical and with it they can get around without stress and aggravation,” said Iordanou.

Despite the Ministry of Communications and the Road Transport Department hailing the launch of the new scheme as a success, the decision to set it in motion so soon came under fire as Parliament had voted just a few days beforehand to postpone its launch until September so as to allow time to get everything in place and resolve any problems.

The main hold up had been the refusal of some shareholders of the Nicosia Bus Company to join the new OSEL venture as they did not believe it to be profitable, with the bus drivers who chose to remain out of the company demanding more time to negotiate satisfactory compensation.

According to the lawyer of the these drivers, Charalambos Prountzos, negotiations with the government were going nowhere.

“The way that this scheme was implemented has created a severe injustice. Those not in the scheme have been left with nothing,” said Prountzos, noting that approximately half of the licensed buses across the island are out of the system, with the biggest opposition being seen in Nicosia, where 300 out of the 470 licensed buses are out of the system.

Iordanou yesterday assured that the new system was running smoothly and would be able to live up to expectations despite the fact that it is running with fewer buses, as they are being used more efficiently and so more routes can be offered. He also said that time will be given for the protesting drivers to join the new system, assuring that if they choose to do so “we will not leave anyone without a job”.

Full bus service will be up and running by August – Cyprus Mail.

EIGHT extra daily routes from Nicosia to Larnaca airport have been added to the Kapnos Airport Shuttle to cover the summer season’s increased needs, the company announced yesterday.

Presenting its two years of operation, company chairman Pambos Kapnos said the shuttle had carried out a total of 24,000 routes since it first started operating.

The shuttle currently operates 38 routes on a 24-hour basis for passengers of all airlines.

“While last summer we transported 1,000 passengers a week, we hope that during this summer period we will approach 1,700 passengers a week,” Kapnos said. “Our goal is to transport around 70,000 passengers a year,” he added.

A special parking area has been created behind Philoxenia Hotel in Nicosia, which offers over 800 free parking spaces for those interested to leave their cars.

Kapnos said the aim was to offer more qualitative and reliable services to the public.

Meanwhile, Communications and Works Minister Erato Kozakou Markoulli yesterday said she was satisfied with the first week’s operation of the island’s new bus system.

She said there were some problems that still needed to be smoothed out – such as informing the public on the new routes and timetables – but these were expected to be resolved by the end of the week.

In total, 50 new buses have been put into circulation in Nicosia, while another 200 are expected to be operating in all districts by September.

n For more information on the airport shuttle visit www.kapnosairportshuttle.com or call 77771477

24,000 shuttles have taken travellers to and from the airport – Cyprus Mail.

NICOSIA – The first week of operations of the new bus system has been successful, according to Communications Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis.
The minister admitted there had been a slight problem with the bus schedule but confirmed that the public would be receiving time schedules before the end of the week.
Fifty new buses are already operating in Nicosia while 200 more will be introduced to other district routes before the end of September.

Bus ‘success’.