Everyone agrees, the traffic in Nicosia is getting worse by the day. But one designer has come up with a bus that could solve all our problems. So what is the problem?
EVERY morning there are a few choice words among my daily routine as I desperately try to get to work on time and believe me, these words are not very lady-like. But I can’t help myself because traffic is going from bad to worse especially in Nicosia, making a simple drive a nightmare. It doesn’t really help that most Cypriots don’t know how to drive and have to drive absolutely everywhere, in addition to there being no other means of transport such as trains. Our only salvation is buses but have you noticed them lately? They look like something from a 1920 movie but in a more village looking way. Is something being done about this? Is the ministry of communications doing anything? No and no. Although the ministry is not interested there is one man who is: Nicolas Demades.
Having studied Industrial Design and Engineering, Nicolas has also worked as a designer for Mercedes, Alfa Romeo and Caterpillar. “I have worked in Italy, Switzerland, America and a few other places,” said Nicolas, “helping to design cars and other industrial vehicles.” Being proud of having worked for important and worldwide-appreciated car companies and even been responsible for the design of one of the Alfa Romeo cars, Nicolas feels he has not yet done anything for his homeland, Cyprus. “I would like to use my skills and ideas to help transportation in Cyprus,” he said, “because we are now a member of the European Union, therefore we have to act like Europeans.” Most of the buses don’t even have European specifications like platforms for the disabled. “How is a disabled person supposed to use a bus?” he asked, “they can’t.” That would be shameful, for a country that isn’t even a member of the European Union.
But unfortunately, there are more problems where that came from, but fortunately Nicolas has the answers. “I can’t really design a bus and put it on the road,” he said, “I need approvals.” Apparently, he has been playing the role of a ping-pong ball, going from government office to bus company and back again. “No one wants to take responsibility,” said Nicolas, “and I have been to both sides with plans and ways to make the roads a safer place to be.” So, basically, Nicolas has done all the research and planning for them but they are still not interested? What could the problem be?
Among the planning and research that Nicolas has conducted, he has based a lot of the possibilities on what he has seen in countries like America and England. “In England, the underground and bus stops have electronic signs displaying the number of each bus that passes through that particular station and the time it will pass,” said Nicolas, “I think that that should be something we ought to consider.” The main idea is that every ten minutes a bus will stop at each station, assisting people much more. The designer has also noticed that most bus stops do not even exist, causing traffic and, above all, danger. The bus Nicolas has in mind would be observed by a central system and all buses would have communication between them, something that again does not exist in Cyprus. “The Ministry of Communications has agreed and showed a lot of interest in the bus,” explained Nicolas, “but they aren’t doing anything.” Could it be the money? “Probably,” said Nicolas, “what else could it be?”
But not all the blame can be put on the government. First of all, Cypriots must change their way of thinking. “The solution to the traffic problem and accidents is for all cars to move out of the centre,” said Nicolas, “but unfortunately, the Cypriot mentality doesn’t change from one day to another.” A typical Cypriot will not abandon his car that easily, especially to ride on a bus like the ones we have at the moment. Come to think of it, I don’t think that anyone in their right mind would get into those old bangers. “They might be suffering in their cars in the traffic,” said Nicolas, “but at least they suffer in luxury.” Nicolas explained that all he and the government have to do is convince the public that this particular bus is also a luxury vehicle. “Even if 20 car owners realise the necessity of a good bus,” said Nicolas, “I think I would have made a difference.”
Even the type of fuel used by this bus will be an environmentally friendly. “I thought that diesel in combination with another type of fuel would be the most appropriate to use in order for this bus to be ecological,” said Nicolas. Of course, the bus will be above all safe and that is very important to the designer but it’s all about aesthetics too. “The bus will have air conditioning, seats for the disabled, screens with information about the directions which the bus will follow, entertainment and many more,” said Nicolas. If that isn’t luxury then what is?
This is something we need and something that will change the roads in Cyprus all together if we just gave it a chance. Nicolas has everything ready; all that is needed is approval and someone willing to pay enough to ensure our safety and well being. After all these accidents and endless traffic, on an island that has more cars than it does citizens, what is more important?
