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Traffic is a serious problem that concerns thousands of citizens in their daily lives. Are you aware of the problems, what are the next steps?
First of all, traffic cannot be solved overnight, nor can you put people on buses with a decision, nor can you do projects. I think that for the first time we have looked at the issue holistically. There is a plan with projects, actions and initiatives to mitigate the problem. In Nicosia we currently have three major infrastructure projects, which will help us to tackle the problem to a large extent in the coming years. They are the peripheral (Industrial Idaliou-Lakatamia), which is under construction. This road will reduce the number of cars at the entrance to Nicosia by 25%. The other project is near the GSP (Ippokratous-Argyroupoleos), for which the tender will be launched next month. And third, we are preparing the junction at Stavrou Avenue where the good evening lights will be removed and traffic will be routed directly to Strovolos and Aglantzia. So we have three hardcore projects and other smaller but important ones, such as on Alexandroupolis Street in Strovolos, at the point of the bridge.
Along with the projects, we are proceeding with the introduction of technology for traffic management. We took the decision a year and a half ago, we prepared the conditions, we are ready to bid, we will install intelligent systems at traffic lights, which at 125 points (70 in Nicosia, 55 in Limassol) will communicate with each other and with artificial intelligence will regulate traffic and improve traffic. They will give priority to ambulances, buses. So this will add even more to our effort to mitigate traffic.
Something similar to what was done with the roundabout in Ayia Fyla?
Yes, it will be the installation of intelligent systems to regulate traffic and deal with congestion.
Is it efficient?
Sure, this is proven with evidence. In Limassol we have reductions reaching 70%, i.e. from 45 minutes you wanted from one point to another it is now done in 15 minutes.
[BR][/P]Will such systems be installed elsewhere?[/P]We are advancing our studies for the rest of Limassol's roundabouts, so we are also putting technology into traffic management.
The third pillar of our effort to address traffic is Sustainable Urban Mobility, which includes two issues: The creation of bus lanes and the diversification of working hours (in the public sector and in schools). Specifically for bus lanes, the Nicosia Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan foresees that the first deliverable is a study that will propose us the integrated network of bus lanes in Nicosia, and even with preliminary designs, so that their implementation by the Public Works Department can start immediately. This is a fundamental project for traffic management. Nicosia will have bus lanes, a project that will encourage bus use and reduce private traffic.
READ PART 1 OF Yiannis Karousos' INTERVIEW HERE
On the changes to working hours, when will there be more news?
In the coming months we will have results and we will be able to say how we are progressing. But these projects are improvements that can be mitigated.
Are efforts to promote bus use working?
It is an ongoing effort but it is true that we have an improvement in terms of the services offered by buses. In Nicosia, Larnaca and Free Famagusta we have new buses, we now have contractors who have taken the cost risk, a new network is coming into Nicosia and more is coming soon. For example, there will be a night service and on weekends. By improving the network, with a good fleet, amenities, we will bring people to the buses, if people know that they will also go fast, I think we have a holistic approach to traffic, we have initiated projects and actions.
I wanted to go a little bit to electrification. The national target of Cyprus foresees that by 2030, 25% of new vehicle registrations (new and used) will be electric with the ultimate goal that by 2035 this percentage will increase to 100%. Where are we so far?
First of all, we have to say that the Ministry of Transport has a key role in the issue of climate change since in Cyprus 50% of pollutants come from transport, so it is something that puts pressure on us for effective actions. We have prepared a policy framework for electromobility, which includes a series of action initiatives, changing legislation, promoting electric vehicles, charging stations, converting petrol stations into recharging stations, changes in urban planning, incentives, subsidies, integrated framework, government vehicles, public transport. So electrification is a very big project for us. We have our goals, it is important that people are responding and embracing our initiatives. The target has been exceeded. And vehicles, and motorcycles, and small vans, and taxis. There has been a lot of interest and that is something we are pleased about. At the same time we had the scrappage scheme, which contributed to the purchase of an electric vehicle or a low-emission vehicle. Electromobility has entered our lives and as time goes by it will become more and more noticeable and necessary.
Will there be more plans announced?
Yes, there will clearly be an improved plan in the future. And the next one to come out will be a grant for the installation of charging stations in public accessible areas, in municipalities and communities, in parking lots, hotels, restaurants, malls, shopping centers. The next program that will come out will be this, we have an approved allocation of 4 million from the recovery and resiliency plan. It's worth noting that all the beneficiaries, they will also be eligible for the Ministry of Commerce's program to install a photovoltaic system in their home to charge their vehicles. And service stations, will be able to sell charging instead of fuel. And on the highways, we'll have charging points. It's a very big effort, Cyprus is a bit late but maybe it's a good thing because the technology has changed.
And for electric bicycles, will there be a new sponsorship scheme?
We were impressed by the great interest of the public. We had 8 thousand applications for 500 bikes. The demand was so high that we had to close the gate early. Next quarter we will announce a new project for 1300 bikes. The message we are sending on sustainable mobility is that the outlook is positive and we are investing in this policy. There is a Council to promote cycling, we are in constant contact and I believe that day by day we will win these important bets that will improve our lives."
Your Department has a wide remit, you have all the big projects. What are your priorities? What footprint do you want to leave from your passing?
Anyone in public office wants to leave their personal mark. I made it my goal to implement the policy announced by the President of the Republic. To help implement his program. We put forward all the major landmark projects, such as the Polos Chrysochous-Pafos road, the Astromeritis-Eurichos road, the Larnaca-Dekeleia road, the Limassol-Saitta road, the Deryneia-Sotiras road and others. We are proceeding with the major project in Larnaca port and marina, which is the largest private investment of €1.2 billion, we are implementing the photo-certification system, we are implementing intelligent systems in transport and several others. I feel satisfied because we are implementing projects that will change for the better the daily life of thousands of our fellow citizens and will improve our quality of life.
Another great work I believe was our effective response during the pandemic, the repatriation of citizens, the very good work done with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, Tourism, in cooperation with Hermes, all this titanic effort, which I believe helped to upgrade our Ministry in the minds of citizens.
Another great work I believe was our effective response during the pandemic, the repatriation of citizens, the very good work done with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, Tourism, in cooperation with Hermes, all this titanic effort which I believe helped to upgrade our Ministry in the minds of citizens. We also made some breakthroughs in the ministry such as free admission to our museums, we opened our museums on weekends, the introduction of technology, smart lights, electrification. To be fair, other predecessors of mine worked as well. Of course not all of this was done under my ministry, I have to acknowledge the work of my predecessors, I added my own little bit. I feel good because with the help of my colleagues our ministry is producing important work and effective work.
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