Limassol explores plans for a tram network

A preliminary study is examining whether a tram network could help ease traffic congestion in Limassol, with construction costs estimated at between €25 million and €95 million per kilometre, depending on the technology selected.

Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis said the first findings had already been presented to the Transport Minister, as the municipality explores alternatives to the city’s heavy reliance on private cars.

Speaking on Sigma TV’s Protoselido programme, Armeftis said the study would assess whether a tram system could provide a realistic and sustainable addition to public transport in the city.

Limassol tram plan aims to reduce car dependence

Armeftis said Limassol’s reliance on private vehicles made congestion particularly difficult to tackle.

“No city has solved its traffic problems when dependence on private cars reaches around 90%,” he said, adding that congestion could be managed more effectively when public transport was widely used.

The state spends approximately €100 million annually on public passenger transport, around €25 million of which concerns Limassol, according to the mayor. However, buses account for only about 3% to 5% of journeys, while private cars remain dominant.

Armeftis said long journeys and delays had undermined confidence in bus services. He highlighted bus route 30, which serves the coastal avenue and connects western Limassol with the Amathus tourist area, as a positive example of the frequent and faster services needed to attract passengers.

The municipalities of Limassol, Polemidia and Amathus have worked together on studies to address congestion, with support from the University of Cyprus and Frederick University.

“We took matters into our own hands. We did not wait for the state,” Armeftis said.

Existing bus lanes could be used for trams

The first preliminary findings on a possible tram network were presented at a meeting with the Transport Minister on Monday, October 19.

One of the main challenges is the limited road space available in Limassol. Armeftis said existing bus lanes could potentially be used as routes for trams.

He also referred to plans for a road connection between the new port and the city, suggesting that the project could provide an opportunity to redesign the road environment, allocating less space to cars and more to public spaces and tram infrastructure.

The mayor pointed to other European cities, including smaller and densely populated urban areas, that have incorporated trams into their transport systems.

He said people’s travel habits could change when suitable routes and infrastructure were available, citing the impact of Limassol’s coastal promenade and cycling lanes.

Tram construction could cost up to €95m per kilometre

The estimated cost of building a tram network ranges from €25 million to €95 million per kilometre, depending on the technology chosen, Armeftis said.

However, he argued that the viability of such an investment should not be assessed solely on construction costs.

The analysis should also consider potential benefits, including higher land and property values along the route, urban regeneration and improvements to quality of life.

The economic cost of traffic congestion, including lost working hours and time spent travelling, should also be taken into account.

50km cycling network and improved bus services

The tram proposal forms part of a wider sustainable mobility strategy for Limassol.

The mayor said a master plan for a 50km network of safe cycling routes was in its final stages. The aim is to connect neighbourhoods across the city and improve access to the coast, rather than create disconnected stretches of cycle lane.

Armeftis also emphasised the need for smaller, more flexible buses operating short and frequent circular routes.

The municipality is pursuing a combination of public transport, cycling infrastructure, green routes and improved pedestrian access to offer alternatives to private cars.

WeDrive service and smart parking

Armeftis also discussed WeDrive, an on-demand transport service operating under a European programme for children aged 12 to 18 travelling to extracurricular activities.

The service uses a digital platform and 17-seat minibuses, operating between 2.30pm and 6.30pm. The mayor described its results as encouraging and said the municipality was considering extending similar services to people working in the city centre.

Limassol’s Municipal Council has also approved the introduction of a smart parking system to improve the management of available spaces and reduce uncontrolled parking.

Northern Bypass and responsibility for traffic projects

Armeftis called for progress on major road infrastructure projects, particularly the Northern Bypass, which he said was sufficiently advanced to move forward despite the need for some additional studies.

He referred to a joint statement by Limassol’s mayors and the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry calling for important road projects to be advanced.

The mayor stressed that major transport infrastructure was ultimately the state’s responsibility. Local authorities could submit proposals and apply pressure, he said, but government intervention was needed to secure the necessary funding.

One-way systems planned for two areas

Approvals have been secured for extensive one-way traffic arrangements in two parts of Limassol, according to Armeftis.

The first concerns the city centre, where the existing one-way network will be expanded. The second covers the densely populated Nea Poli area in eastern Limassol.

The changes could help tackle illegal parking on pavements, improve accessibility and create additional green spaces.

Armeftis said similar measures in European and Greek cities had helped create safer and more functional public spaces for pedestrians.

Also read: Nicosia Mayor calls for trams to be considered for the capital
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