Filenews 9 July 2021 - by Vasos Vassiliou
€35m (€35m) secured by the EU Ministry of Transport for the purpose of increasing electric vehicles in Cyprus, with the aim of reaching 25% of new registrations by 2030. This is what the Minister of Transport, Giannis Karousos, said yesterday, informing the Parliamentary Committee on Transport about the areas of action of his ministry.
A new legislative framework will be launched within six months, but in order not to create a gap in the promotion of electrification, the relevant ministers will issue decrees.
For cycling enthusiasts, the minister said his purchase would be subsidised while another 16 actions to boost cycling would be developed.
In the case of motorcycles, in addition to the mandatory issue of a normal licence for professionals, the purchase of protective equipment will also be subsidised. Includes helmet, airbag vest as well as special protective shoes.
And for civil servants, some services will get self-propelled bicycles.
Reference was also made to the implementation of the intelligent traffic lights system which currently operate in Agia Phyla. As he explained, it works with sensors and coordinates the order of priority on its own. Its operation resulted in a 74% reduction in waiting times in one direction and 55% on the other.
In the near future the system will be installed at another 120 points (traffic lights) of which 80 in Nicosia and the remaining 40 in Limassol.
The system will be able to identify buses and ambulances to which it will prioritize, Mr. Karusos said. Sensors that will measures traffic will also be installed on motorways, where electronic traffic information signs will be placed, etc. Monitoring can be achieved through the mobile phone with a related application. The programme will be funded by the Recovery Fund.
As for the bus stops, he said €25m had been secured. and inform passengers of when the next bus is arriving, etc. Stops will be able to be used by municipalities for advertising etc. Photovoltaics can be applied to the stops.
