THE communications minister yesterday urged people to leave their cars at home and embrace buses in a bid to decongest the island’s roads.
Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis yesterday morning observed a demonstration – the so-called Munster experiment – designed to show people how many cars could be removed from the road if their drivers opted to take the bus instead.
Makarios Avenue in Nicosia was shut briefly as some 50 cars lined up in three rows, demonstrating how much space is necessary to accommodate them.
Their drivers and passengers then boarded a bus, showing they could all fit in, sparing the city the congestion and the exhaust fumes.
“Today, we all observed an important experiment full of messages, “Marcoullis said. “I hope that all those who watched this, the Munster experiment, saw the messages and learned the lessons on the benefits and importance of using viable transport. We should all ditch our cars and get onto the buses.”
The demonstration was organised by the Green party.
Nicosia Mayor Eleni Mavrou highlighted the importance of using public transport and urged people to enjoy their city by walking.
The government launched a new bus system in July, which despite some teething problems, appears to be heading towards success.
Figures released earlier this month, indicated bus passenger numbers across the island have risen 41 per cent since the new public transport system was put in place two months ago.
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.
The Munster experiment is one of the most common demonstrations used by transport experts across the globe.
It started in the German town of Munster in a bid to show how valuable buses are.
The experiment proves that 40 cars take up an area of 300 metres, while at the same time they produce a lot of harmful emissions.
