MVP

Tag: public transport

  • New Bill Aims to Tackle Traffic Congestion with Innovative Measures

    New Bill Aims to Tackle Traffic Congestion with Innovative Measures

    A new bill proposes key measures to ease traffic congestion, addressing management of obstruction in school zones, staggered working hours, and the publication of traffic flow indicators.

    • A new bill proposes key measures to ease traffic congestion, addressing management of obstruction in school zones, staggered working hours, and the publication of traffic flow indicators.
    • Funding for the bill will be sourced from the traffic management fund, supported by resources from the recovery and resilience fund, the European cohesion fund, and the transport ministry.

    Disy MP Fotini Tsiridou, who submitted the bill on Monday, emphasised the need for a comprehensive, realistic, and fair approach that will not burden citizens. “This proposal aims to change the mentality of travel and upgrade our quality of life,” she stated.

    The road network decongestion and sustainable mobility law sets ambitious targets, including a 20 per cent reduction in peak-time travel in major roadways, a 25 per cent increase in public transport usage, and a 50 per cent reduction in parking violations within bus lanes and flow zones.

    According to Philenews, the proposed bill includes the establishment of traffic management centres (TMCs) for each district, operating under the transport ministry’s oversight. These centres will coordinate traffic lights, manage priority lanes for buses and multi-passenger vehicles, handle towing and road incidents, and publish monthly data on delays and emissions.

    In an effort to promote public transport, the bill aims to expand and protect priority lanes while creating multiple passenger travel lanes for cars carrying at least three individuals. Each district will be required to designate at least three ‘flow zones’ where stopping or parking will be prohibited from 7am to 7pm. Vehicles parked in these areas will be towed within ten minutes at no cost to the driver, following an approved safety and transparency protocol.

    To enhance safety for students, the bill proposes establishing 200-metre school zones around each educational institution. During peak arrival and departure times for students, these zones will only be accessible to school buses, parents, residents, and emergency vehicles. The police and municipal authorities will oversee these zones to ensure compliance.

    Another measure within the bill focuses on distributing working hours in the public sector across three time zones: 7am to 3pm, 8am to 4pm, and 9am to 5pm, aiming to reduce simultaneous traffic. Private companies with over 50 employees will be required to submit a mobility plan that includes staggered hours or teleworking for at least one day per week for 20 per cent of their workforce.

    Transparency and public access to data are significant components of the proposed legislation. The ‘Open Cyprus Traffic System’ is set to launch, providing monthly updates on delays, emissions, and violations. Access to this data will be free for all users, ensuring no personal data is processed or published.

    Funding for the bill will be sourced from the traffic management fund, supported by resources from the recovery and resilience fund, the European cohesion fund, and the transport ministry.

  • Limassol Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by Reversing Bus

    Limassol Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by Reversing Bus

    limassol pedestrian — limassol pedestrian — A 65-year-old Romanian man has died from injuries sustained when a public bus reversed over him in Limassol on 4 September. Doru-Gheorghe Spataceanu succumbed to his injuries yesterday afternoon after 10 days of treatment in intensive care at a private hospital, where he had been intubated.

    The tragic incident took place on Leontiou Street, close to the city’s Central Police Station. According to reports, the bus, operated by EMEL, was travelling northbound and had stopped at a bus stop outside a technical school. The driver attempted to reverse due to a parked vehicle obstructing the way ahead.

    In a moment of misfortune, the bus struck Spataceanu, who was standing behind it at the time. He suffered serious injuries, including broken ribs and damage to vital organs, which necessitated immediate ambulance transport to the hospital.

    Despite the medical team’s efforts, Spataceanu’s condition remained critical, and he was placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit. Unfortunately, after a lengthy battle for recovery, he passed away on 14 September, leaving the community to mourn.

    Limassol Traffic Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the collision and whether any safety protocols were violated during the incident.

  • Paphos School Bus Fire Averted Before Student Pickup

    Paphos School Bus Fire Averted Before Student Pickup

    paphos school — paphos school — A school bus operated by the Paphos Public Transport Organisation (OSYPA) caught fire at around 07:00 on Tuesday on Archbishop Makarios Avenue in Chlorakas, with no students on board. Thankfully, tragedy was averted as the bus was empty at the time of the incident.

    • As authorities continue their investigations, the focus will remain on ensuring the safety and reliability of student transport services in the region.

    The driver noticed smoke emanating from the bus and quickly evacuated the vehicle. In an attempt to manage the situation, he tried to extinguish the fire himself but was unsuccessful. Emergency services arrived shortly after, ensuring that no injuries were reported.

    Paphos school: Recent Technical Inspection Raises Questions

    This particular bus was among the newer models in OSYPA’s fleet. Andreas Nikiforou, Head of Public Passenger Transport and Senior Road Transport Officer, confirmed that the bus had passed its technical inspection on 27 August 2025, just three weeks prior to the fire. “Everything was in order with the bus. There is certification for the fire suppression system; everything was perfect,” Nikiforou stated, calling the incident “terribly unfortunate.”

    Inspection Protocols Under Scrutiny

    An electromechanical service team from Nicosia is set to conduct a thorough inspection of the bus to pinpoint the cause of the fire. The provincial electromechanical service department has already completed an initial examination to identify where the blaze originated. Authorities are considering various potential causes, including mechanical failure or electrical issues.

    Interestingly, this is not the first fire incident involving a student transport bus in the region. Nikiforou mentioned that inspections have intensified over the past two years, with transport companies now required to provide MOT certificates, technical inspections from private garages, and documentation of inspections undertaken within the last three months.

    Ageing Fleet and Future Plans

    The Transport Ministry representatives confirmed that the bus, manufactured in 2010, met contractual requirements for vehicles under 20 years old, with an average fleet age not exceeding 10 years. Parliamentary Education Committee deputy chairman Chrysanthos Savvides noted that 50 new buses are expected for delivery in February to help modernise the ageing fleet. “We must give all our attention to existing buses to avoid any unpleasant developments,” Savvides said, highlighting the ongoing challenge faced by the transport sector.

    As authorities continue their investigations, the focus will remain on ensuring the safety and reliability of student transport services in the region.