THE MAYOR of Nicosia Eleni Mavrou yesterday announced plans for the creation of a comprehensive public transport network covering the entire urban area of the capital.
The transport network, which will be financed by EU and state funds, entails the creation of a fleet of buses and may even include tram lines, which Mavrou envisions will be operated by a partnership where local government will play a major role.
“This is a specific proposal with timelines. For years public transport was in the hands of the central government, with disappointing results. Our proposal involves the cooperation of the public sector, local government and the private sector, based on the model of the large majority of European cities,” Mavrou said.
“In cases where local governments have exclusive authority over public transport, citizens do benefit as local councils are closer to them and know better what their transport needs are,” she added.
Mavrou hopes that EU and public funds will cover the costs of the public transport upgrade, with a reported €200 million being offered by the state for this purpose. The Mayor of Nicosia also confirmed that a final decision was expected by summer.
The intervention by Mavrou and the other Nicosia councils come at a time when the Ministry of Communications was at the final stages of planning for a public transport system. Mavrou explained that the decision to present their proposal at this specific time was made to prevent the state from rushing into a solution that did not serve the needs and interests of citizens.
“We believe that this must be done based on specific programs and not under the pressure of time. This is why we are doing this intervention at this time- because we see that the state is moving with decisions that do not serve the aim,” she said.
Mavrou’s criticism was directed at the state’s spasmodic attempts at making progress towards the creation of a public transport network. “There is an intention to award contracts to private companies, without determining what our requirements are from these companies. How frequent should bus routes be? How quickly should the buses be renewed? I am referring to the Ministry of Communications which has been working intensely on the matter but we believe is moving to a direction that is not correct,” she said.
In addition to an upgraded bus fleet, the possibility of incorporating trams in Nicosia’s transport network is also being looked into. “This is an option which reality itself promotes. Perhaps not on a large scale, but at least some lines to connect the wider periphery with the town centre,” said Mavrou.
