mplementation is progressing rapidly on the nearly one-million-euro agreement signed between the Limassol Tourism Development and Promotion Company (ETAL) and the Spanish company GMV Sistemas, for the installation of 40 electronic information pillars at bus stops along the coastal road and 40 information displays inside an equal number of buses.

During a press conference held on Monday, 9 September 2019, the progress of the project was presented. The installation of 40 screens inside Limassol’s urban buses has already been completed, a Control Centre has been created at ETAL, and the first electronic information pillars have been installed at bus stops in the Limassol Port area. Implementation is expected to be completed within the autumn. Attendees had the opportunity to see the equipment and system operation both inside a bus and on-site at Limassol Port. The project is one of ETAL’s initiatives aimed at transforming Limassol into a smart city.

The infrastructure and the supporting systems are fully aligned and closely integrated with the bus telematics system implemented by the Ministry of Transport, which is already fully operational in Limassol, according to the Minister of Transport, Ms. Vassiliki Anastassiadou.

As the President of ETAL, Mr. Tonis Antoniou, stated:
“This equipment informs the public about the waiting time at the bus stop, while inside the bus the screens display the route and upcoming stops. At the same time, promotional videos of Limassol are shown, along with tourist information about current events in the city and points of interest in each area. This makes the system innovative, as for the first time transport information and tourist information are presented together to the public.”

The purchase and installation of the equipment are funded by European programmes—EV-Kinisi (Interreg Greece–Cyprus) and Civitas Destinations (Horizon 2020)—in which ETAL participates. These programmes focus on sustainable urban mobility, aiming to promote environmentally friendly transport options while upgrading Limassol’s infrastructure and services, making the city a more attractive and higher-quality destination.

Within the framework of these two European programmes, a mobile application for mobility in Limassol has also been created. It is available for free for Android and iPhone under the name “Mobility Limassol.” The app presents transport options and will soon provide real-time information about public transport.

One great step ahead in the use of intelligent transport systems, facilitating urban public transport, reducing traffic and environmental impact and minimizing accident hazards, is taken by four island cities in Greece and Cyprus, through the European Project EFKINISI. Rhodes, Syros-Hermoupolis, Thera (Santorini) and Limassol (Cyprus) through the Limassol Tourism Board and the Frederick Research Centre, follow the example of other European countries that have advanced particularly in this field, by widely deploying Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

The telematics system will operate electronic displays at bus stops informing the public about bus timetables and their waiting time at stops as well as displays in buses providing information on the route. At the same time, relevant information will be provided via the Internet and mobile phones to users. It is expected that this system will improve significantly the public transport service, facilitating travel by choosing the best route planning, ensuring a higher level of service and saving time for users, thus gradually reducing traffic load and ensuring lower pollutants.

Increasing the number of citizens and visitors using public transport and enhancing sustainable mobility is one of the main priorities that all urban and suburban areas are called upon to pursue in line with the European Mobility and Transport Policy as well as and the objectives set by the European policy for Europe 2020.

In addition to the implementation of systems and technologies, through the EFKINISI program, participants are invited to ensure the co-ordination of individual systems as well as the long-term maintenance of these technologies in service to serve the “mass transit” goal and at the same time to ensure high quality and the lowest possible pollutants.

Limassol is a city that is constantly being developed and upgraded. With a view to reducing pollutants, ensuring better air quality, reducing traffic congestion and resulting noise pollution, Limassol is launching a series of measures to improve public transport.

From November 2017, Limassol, together with three Greek cities, Rhodes, Ermoupolis (Syros) and Thira (Santorini), participates in the project Eu-Kinisi (Interreg V-A, Greece – Cyprus). The project provides for the design and implementation of actions aimed at implementing smart, sustainable and cost-effective public transport solutions that are expected to significantly improve urban accessibility and reduce pollution and energy consumption.

As part of the project, the Limassol Tourist Development and Promotion Co Ltd (LTC) has already proceeded with the installation of a telematics system at 15 city bus stops and in 15 buses. The public information pillars provide information regarding buses that serve the stop, waiting times and useful tourist information. Buses screens inform about the next stop, the overall route, landmarks and events in the area. The innovation of the system is based on the combination of information on transport and tourism, which enriches the tourist experience of each visitor.

The telematics system is in a pilot phase and its implementation is expected to be completed by September 2019. In addition to the equipment provided by the Eu-kinisis, the Limassol Tourism Board has secured the extension of the system to 25 more points and 25 buses through the European Project Civitas Destinations (Horizon 2020).

Recognizing the need to use technology to inform the public, LTC also upgrades the ‘Mobility Limassol’ application with real-time information on public transport. In this way the Eu-kinisi connects the telematics system directly with the user, making the service even more attractive. Besides the infrastructure installed, LTC is also carrying out communication campaigns to raise awareness among citizens and visitors and promote the use of public transport.

Based on the study of the current situation regarding urban mobility by the Frederick Research Center, which is also a partner in the project, all the problems that are currently an inhibiting factor for integrating the principles of sustainable urban mobility into small towns have been identified. The study has determined specific features and weaknesses such as traffic load seasonality, reduced access to technology, lack of balanced environmental and economic growth, and seasonal overcapacity in urban areas.

Through the Eu-kinisi project, systems and technologies are implemented to mitigate the negative impacts of identified weaknesses to ensure improved, more attractive and environmentally friendly transport.

For the Territorial Cooperation Project with the Code Name “EV-KINISI”

According to the European Policy on Mobility and Transport, which forms part of the broader Europe 2020 Strategy, all urban and suburban areas are called upon to adopt quantitative and qualitative targets aimed at strengthening sustainable mobility and promoting the use of Public Transport. These targets serve the objective of “mass transportation” while simultaneously ensuring high-quality mobility with the lowest possible emissions.

The Municipalities of Rhodes, Syros–Hermoupolis and Thira, in collaboration with the Limassol Tourism Development Company and the Frederick Research Center, formed a cooperative partnership and jointly submitted, in 2016, a proposal under the Interreg VA “Greece–Cyprus 2014–2020” Territorial Cooperation Programme. The purpose was to secure funding for an ambitious and socially valuable framework of actions aimed at enhancing the quality characteristics of their public urban transport systems.

The proposal, which was highly competitive, was selected among many others, and on 20 November 2017 a Funding Agreement was signed between the Municipality of Rhodes, as the lead partner, and the Managing Authority of the Operational Programme “European Territorial Cooperation.” This agreement officially gave the green light for the implementation of the project titled EV-KINISI, with a total budget of €1,306,290.

The EV-KINISI project was designed by the partners with the main objective of promoting smart, sustainable, and alternative mobility in the cross-border region. Through this project, the participating agencies are called upon to develop a model organizational and operational framework for strengthening and environmentally upgrading Urban Public Transport. This framework includes, among other elements:

The integration of a comprehensive telematics system for urban transport, including dynamic passenger information using advanced technological tools

The replacement or supplementation of Public Transport vehicles with low-emission or zero-emission vehicles

The development of principles governing Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs), enabling the project to act as a multiplier for other municipalities and public authorities

Joint awareness-raising actions targeting citizens and visitors, including incentives and organized events promoting the use of Public Transport and telematics applications

Joint publicity and dissemination activities to promote the project results and knowledge tools

The impact of the project is expected to contribute significantly to increasing Public Transport usage among both residents and visitors by improving system attractiveness. Furthermore, the project is anticipated to enhance the quality of life and the urban environment in the participating areas, both in the medium and long term, as it aligns with the guidelines of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, which before this project were still an undefined concept in many regions.

Today, the project is active in all implementation areas, and all individual actions are in progress.

The project receives strong support from the leadership of the participating organizations. During the first partner meeting (Rhodes, February 2018) and the second meeting (Hermoupolis, Syros, July 2018), the Mayors of Rhodes, Mr. F. Chatzidiakos, and Syros–Hermoupolis, Mr. G. Marangos—who hosted the initial transnational meetings—emphasized their institutional support for facilitating the processes required for the smooth and timely implementation of the project actions.

The next Partner Meeting is scheduled for the first ten days of November 2018 in the Municipality of Thira, where the progress of the project’s physical and financial implementation will be reviewed.

The entire project is under the supervision of the Joint Technical Secretariat of the Greece–Cyprus 2014–2020 Territorial Cooperation Programme and is co-funded 85% by European resources.

The Limassol Tourism Board participated on Friday, February 23rd, 2018, at the kick-off meeting of the European project: “Integrated Telematics System in Public Transport for Sustainable Urban Mobility” with the acronym “EΥ-KINISIS” that took place in Rhodes. The project is implemented under the Cross-border Cooperation Program Greece – Cyprus 2014 – 2020.

The total budget of this project is 1,3 million euro. The consortium consists of the Limassol Tourism Board and the Frederick University Research Centre, the Municipality of Rhodes which is the lead partner, the Municipality of Syros-Hermoupolis and the Municipality of Thira in Santorini.

The project concerns the development of a functional model for the enhancement of the public transport services system. The upgraded model will include the integration of a new telematic system for public transport with real time information for passengers, new sustainable mobility modes of transport with low or zero emissions, the development of a new Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan and other actions to create awareness and promote the project.

The beneficiary regions (Limassol, Rhodes, Syros, Thira) are characterized as attractive tourist destinations especially during the summer season. This project will increase the attractiveness and effectiveness of the Public Transport service and will also achieve integration with tourism, since tourist information as well as sustainable mobility information will also be provided through this Public transport traveller information system.

The project is also expected to strengthen future cooperation among the partners involved by organizing actions to promote cross-border cooperation in the transport sector, in the ​​infrastructure sector and regional development overall

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