Filenews 24 March 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
The new canopies that are placed in various parts of the cities in new bus stops or upgrading the existing ones are causing a sensation. Citizens who use smart stops claim that they were placed upside down, noting that, possibly, they were destined for another country, where vehicles are left-hand drive. As they complain, the pylon is located on the right side, as a result of which the passengers waiting for the bus and sitting under the canopy do not have eye contact.
The Department of Public Works, however, claims that the stops were correctly placed and serve more needs than passengers expect, with the main one being that there is a better possibility for people with disabilities to be noticed in time by the bus driver and to board it without particular difficulties.
Based on the plans, within five years, all stops/shelters throughout Cyprus will be upgraded, with priority given to points located on the main axes, to stops with high passenger traffic and to transfer points.
It is noted that the annual order quantities given to the manufacturer for each province are proportional: a) The total number of stops/shelters planned for implementation in five years and b) the kilometers of the provided public passenger transport service.
By 20/3/2025, 180 shelters have already been installed throughout Cyprus, while, within 2025, a total of about 700 shelters are planned to be installed on the roads.
The Department of Public Works also provides answers on the location of the information material located on the lateral external side of the canopy pillar. As he points out, this is done in order to be easily accessible to everyone, especially by people with visual and mobility difficulties without being hindered by seated people. The space above the information point is covered by a roof. It is noted that the pillar is a common infrastructure for all types of stops/shelters.
He also explains the fact that the pillar is located on the right side of the canopy. Specifically, it records the following reasons:
● It is the stopping point at which the alignment of the front door of the bus and the routing of the blind for boarding is achieved. On the pillar there is a button for audio information that serves the visually impaired, who know that the pillar is in alignment with the front door of the bus. For this purpose, the appropriate routing plates are also installed.
● In case the pylon was placed on the other side of the canopy, the passenger who would see the information, and especially the blind people who would make use of the audio announcement, would not be visible to the bus driver.
● The exit of passengers through the back door of the bus is not obstructed.
● Increases the feeling of safety and protects the passengers under it from passing vehicles, which are moving in the direction of the canopy.
● Offers protection in the event of a collision between a vehicle and the canopy. The passenger has protection from the pillar and an escape exit. Otherwise, the passenger will be trapped inside the canopy.
● It offers protection against air, suspended water droplets and dust particles caused by passing vehicles to come into direct contact with the passengers sitting/standing underneath it.
● The pillar has a led indicator on the side of the pylon which changes colour when the bus is at a distance of 30-50 meters from the stop.
● The fact that the canopy is placed at the rear of the pavement and the limited width of the pylon, ensures that passengers inside the canopy have a satisfactory viewing angle towards the traffic lanes and passing buses. The reverse is also true, i.e., that the bus driver sees the passengers who are inside the canopy.
● Causes less visual obstruction for drivers exiting vehicular accesses, as this is usually placed behind the pavement and out of the drivers' view with the pillar at the farthest point.
Types of stops and where they will be placed
1. New Type A stops (1,000 – 2,000 points)
Pillar – Type A
● On very narrow sidewalks where it is not possible to install a shelter and there is no other suitable place to move the point.
● Next to large canopies (e.g. built-in canopies in the University of Cyprus, wooden canopies in Protaras Avenue, etc.)
Pylon – Type A with repaired canopy
● Secondary Axes
● Sparsely populated areas
● In communities/villages
2. Medium-sized canopy Type B (1,350 points)
● On narrow sidewalks with a minimum width of 1.8 (4 pavement slabs+) in order to comply with the minimum required width of free passage for pedestrians (1-1.20 meters),
● At stops with relatively moderate to low passenger traffic (0-20 passengers/day),
● In front of shops/restaurants/homes.
● At stopping points with length limitation due to vehicular access.
3. Large size canopy with/without advertising Type C (650 points)
● Main Shafts
● Transfer points
● High passenger traffic
Where there is high passenger traffic and the existing infrastructure allows it, then the installation of the largest canopy (Type C) is preferred. In case there is not the required space, the next smallest canopy size (Type B) will be placed
4. Oversized canopy suitable for mountainous areas Type C Mountain (100 points)
In mountainous areas (altitude >500m), provided that there is available space
