The first major test for the Nicosia perimeter is expected to be in September, with the return to routine and everyday life, when traffic on the streets will be increased, due to the opening of schools and the return of workers to their workplaces, with the Ministry Transport to start recording data. At the same time, the Ministry of Transport has decided to implement some other measures, which will help to relieve traffic congestion.
The return to routine, after the summer holidays, is usually accompanied by increased traffic on all roads leading to the capital, since many jobs are located in Nicosia. This means that throughout the day the roads are full, resulting in prolonged confusion and great inconvenience for drivers. A negative factor is also the fact that during the same period the students also return to their desks, as a result of which the needs for travel within the road network increase.
To this end, the Ministry of Transport has pinned its hopes on the perimeter highway, part of which has been delivered a few days ago, so that there will be a better service for a portion of drivers, who instead of needing to cross Nicosia to continue the journey to other provinces, will be able to use the perimeter. It is noted that for this purpose the road network near the GSP was used, however it is considered that this route will be easier.
However, what is announced by the Ministry of Transport is that the real performance of the perimeter will be seen with its completion, since the alternative option for traffic within Nicosia will be complete. At the same time, the Ministry will start recording the existing data, so that it will be able to evaluate it, whether or not the perimeter is efficient.
< b>READ HERE: The first phase of the Nicosia ring road is now open – “Unhindered movement of vehicles”
The Police are out on the streets, also measures to transport the students
Furthermore, the Ministry of Transport has taken other measures aimed at dealing with the traffic problem and emphasis is placed on roads with more traffic. Specifically, after a meeting that took place, instructions have been given to the Police for increased surveillance, at least in the first days of returning to routine, on roads with critical intersections.
At the same time, the Ministry of Transport emphasized measures to transport students to schools, which was evident from the support package announced a few days ago that included the subsidy of bus fares. This decision is aimed at increasing the number of students using the buses, as there is currently 10% availability of seats. It is noted that in the previous year, approximately 18,000 students were served by the buses.
What is emphasized is that there will be results and decongestion of the traffic problem only when the needs of the students are served and to this end, the Minister of Transport, Alexis Vafeadis, has developed a new proposal that was presented to the municipalities, for the implementation of a student transport program in their afternoon activities and tutorials. In fact, there has been an increased interest from several municipalities, while some have expressed concern, and in this direction it is expected that the issue will be discussed further in the next period as well. However, for its part, the Government is willing to finance this initiative.
The goal is twofold. On the one hand, it seeks to reduce the number of cars on the roads during the evening hours and on the other hand, it seeks to give more time to parents, who will not be forced to spend their hours in their vehicle all afternoon.
However, the fact that All-Day Schools are increasing is also a positive feature, which means that parents are not forced to go around at the same time (i.e. as soon as the children go to school at 1:05 in the afternoon) to pick up the students.
They are looking for a solution to the shortage of bus drivers
At the same time, the Ministry of Transport wants to promote the choice of public transport as a solution, however the problem observed with bus drivers in recent years puts significant obstacles in its way. Alexis Vafeadis, in the previous period had contacts both with the workers' unions and with the employers, in an attempt to find a solution, while in the next period he will have a consultative meeting with the parties involved, to put all the issues on the carpet, for to find the golden ratio.
READ HERE: This is how the traffic problem will be eased-The Minister opened his papers. Transport
