Christos Bouris
If you’ve been stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic lately, you’re not alone, especially if you live in Limassol. What used to be just morning and afternoon rush hours has now become an all-day ordeal, turning daily commutes into a test of patience.
Despite Nicosia still holding the title for Cyprus’ largest population, it’s Limassol that’s feeling the worst of the congestion crisis. Small accidents can cripple traffic for hours, while the city’s road network struggles to keep up with its growing population and rapid development.
According to transport expert Michalis Lambrinos, president of the Cyprus Association of Transport Engineers, the country needs to rethink its approach to mobility. “Cyprus relies on cars more than almost any other country,” he told Kathimerini, noting that up to 95% of daily trips are made by private vehicles. Even a modest 10–15% reduction in car use could make a noticeable difference, he added.
Lambrinos believes that while building new roads helps, it doesn’t solve the root of the problem. Instead, Cyprus needs to make public transport a more attractive option, and that means investing in proper infrastructure. “Our buses are much better now,” he said, “but we need bus lanes, better access to stops, and sidewalks that people can actually walk on. Right now, our pavements are a disaster, and cars parked on them are a plague.”
He suggested each city launch a program to upgrade its sidewalks so residents can safely reach bus stops on foot. Raising public awareness through campaigns and improving real-time transport apps could also help shift mindsets.
Limassol’s rapid population growth, he added, has made things worse. “The highway almost divides the city; it’s become a barrier,” Lambrinos said. That highway sees up to 90,000 vehicles a day, compared to Nicosia’s busiest stretch, which carries about 48,000.
Another factor? Parking policies that encourage long-term parking in city centers. Lambrinos proposed reducing central parking spaces and adjusting pricing to promote short stays instead. “We could even link parking fees to a fund that supports mobility projects,” he said, adding that this might help change the perception that parking fines are just a cash grab.
For now, though, it’s Cyprus drivers who are paying the price, one traffic jam at a time.
*This article was translated from its Greek original
