Bus timetables still not ready

FULL OPERATION of the new Nicosia bus system is still not quite there yet, but updated timetables should finally be ready by the end of this week, according to Iordanos Iordanou, the head of the Nicosia District Transport Organisation (OSEL).
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 capital’s new bus system was supposed to be completed by August 1 and most of the new routes were in place by then, but the leaflets informing the public of route and timetable changes had yet to be sent for printing. Its full operation was then postponed to September 1, by which time the system’s official start date had been pushed back even further.
Speaking to the Mail yesterday, Iordanou said that flyers have been printed and that they will now be available by Thursday or Friday next week.
“The buses now follow some of the old routes and some of the new ones. We wanted to ease the public into the new system – that’s why the route numbers on buses have changed to the new ones,” Iordanou said. He also added that all of the new routes are active except two – 106 and 215.
OSEL is also supporting an event planned by the Green Party for September 25, which aims to raise awareness concerning the benefits of taking the bus. Titled “Going to Town Without a Car”, the event will involve organisers lining up 50 cars and 50 bicycles next to a single bus, in order to show how a bus can help in reducing traffic and pollution in the city centre. The event will take place at Makarios Avenue in Nicosia at 11am.

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