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The government plans to encourage more people to use buses as part of efforts to tackle severe traffic congestion in Limassol, with the Transport Ministry preparing a public information campaign and reviewing existing services to identify where improvements are needed.
Transport Minister Evie Tsolaki said public transport must become a more reliable and affordable alternative to private cars, arguing that motorists would be more willing to leave their vehicles at home if buses could save them time and money.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion on Monday marking the start of Green Week 2026, Tsolaki acknowledged that congestion had reached an intolerable level, particularly in Limassol, and said a lasting solution would require coordinated action from government departments, municipalities, bus operators and the private sector.
The ministry will launch a campaign explaining the benefits of bus travel, while examining changes to routes and services to better reflect the needs of residents and commuters.
Officials are also planning visits to Limassol and Nicosia, the two districts identified by the minister as facing the most serious traffic problems. During these visits, ministry representatives will travel on buses to assess existing routes, identify gaps in the network and determine where additional services or other adjustments are necessary.
Tsolaki said public transport contracts had been drawn up years ago, while urban development and commuting patterns had changed considerably. Bus routes and stop locations must therefore be reviewed to ensure services remain relevant to current travel needs.
Park-and-ride facilities planned
Additional park-and-ride facilities are expected to form part of the strategy, allowing motorists to leave their cars outside congested areas and complete their journeys by bus.
Tsolaki said the facility at Tsirio Stadium in Limassol was operating successfully, while new sites were planned in Agios Tychonas and Polemidia.
She said the system would only work effectively if people could park conveniently, board a bus and reach their destination without lengthy journeys, multiple changes or excessive costs.
Reliable services, shorter travel times and lower expenses than private car use were the main factors the government needed to address to persuade more people to switch to public transport, she added.
The minister also acknowledged that buses would not be the only answer to congestion. Other measures, including additional park-and-ride sites, would be needed to give commuters practical alternatives to driving into the city.
Mayor calls for state-backed transport plan
Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis said traffic congestion was placing considerable pressure on residents, the local economy, the environment and the city's quality of life.
He argued that municipalities could not resolve the problem without substantial government involvement, pointing out that the state was primarily responsible for transport planning, public transport and major infrastructure projects.
While acknowledging the municipality's own responsibilities, Armeftis called for closer cooperation with the Transport Ministry, supported by clear decisions, funding commitments and specific deadlines.
The municipalities of Greater Limassol are working with the University of Cyprus and Frederick University to develop a unified master plan for the urban area. The proposed plan will examine transport networks alongside land use, public transport and the design of public spaces.
Armeftis also cited administrative delays affecting infrastructure projects, including a short-term proposal to create additional exits onto the motorway and the planned northern bypass, which he described as a top priority.
He said the city's response to congestion must include major road projects, facilities for smaller forms of transport, additional parking and changes to parking charges, rather than relying exclusively on buses.
Bus lanes and cycling routes under discussion
Plans for cycling routes have also attracted public debate, particularly following controversy over the installation of bollards. Armeftis said the dispute had overshadowed the intentions behind the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan.
He warned that introducing isolated bus lanes would not deliver meaningful results unless services were frequent enough to justify giving buses priority on the roads.
Limassol Municipality has therefore set conditions for the proposed lanes, including a requirement for buses to pass at intervals of around 10 minutes rather than once an hour.
Armeftis said the city's forthcoming master plan would also assess alternative transport options, including a tram system. However, he stressed that a tram should only be introduced if studies showed it could meet residents' needs and improve transport.
Tram feasibility study to be updated
Tsolaki confirmed that the ministry would update a 2015 study on the possible introduction of trams in Limassol and Nicosia, following interest from both municipalities.
The revised assessment will examine whether a tram system would be financially viable and whether it could provide an effective service for the public.
The roundtable formed part of Green Week 2026, which brings together local authorities and other organisations to discuss urban mobility and the transition towards more sustainable local government.
As part of the programme, an electric bus is scheduled to travel along Limassol's seafront on Tuesday at 11am, carrying district mayors and the president of the Limassol District Local Government Organisation.
