Editing Transport in Cyprus

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{{Update|date=September 2023}}

'''Transport in Cyprus''' consists of transport by [[Land transport|land]], [[Maritime transport|water]] and [[Aviation|air]]. [[Road transport]] is the primary mode of transport for most Cypriot citizens, and Cyprus's road transport systems are well-developed and extensively used across the island.

Because [[Cyprus]] no longer has a working [[railway]] system, various other methods of [[transport]] are needed to ensure the proper delivery of any cargo, be it human or freight. As [[Cyprus Government Railway|the last passenger railway]] was dismantled in 1952, the only remaining modes of transport are by road, sea, and air.

== Roads ==
{{main|Roads and motorways in Cyprus}}
[[Image:A1 Motorway Cyprus.JPG|thumb|right|240px|Night view between Agios Athanasios junction and Mesa Geitonia junction in [[Limassol]]]]

From the {{Convert|12,118|km|mi}} of roads in the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus in 2006, {{Convert|7,850|km|mi}} were paved, while {{Convert|4,268|km|mi}} were unpaved. In 1996, the Turkish Cypriot area showed a close, but smaller ratio of paved to unpaved with about {{Convert|1,370|km|mi}} out of {{Convert|2,350|km|mi}} paved and {{Convert|980|km|mi}} unpaved.<ref>[http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/PWD/pwd.nsf/All/0A49EACB1E1CA73FC2257354003B6922?Opendocument Τμήμα Δημοσίων Έργων - Στατιστικά Στοιχεία - Συντήρηση Δρόμων 2006<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081125152438/http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/PWD/PWD.nsf/All/0A49EACB1E1CA73FC2257354003B6922?Opendocument |date=2008-11-25 }}</ref> As a legacy of [[British Empire|British rule]], Cyprus is one of only three EU nations in which vehicles drive on the [[Driving on the left or right|left]].

===Motorways===

* [[A1 motorway (Cyprus)|A1]] [[Nicosia]] to [[Limassol]]
* [[A2 motorway (Cyprus)|A2]] connects A1 near [[Pera Chorio]] with A3 by [[Larnaca]]
* [[A3 motorway (Cyprus)|A3]] [[Larnaca Airport]] to [[Agia Napa]], also serves as a circular road for Larnaca.
* [[A5 motorway (Cyprus)|A5]] connects A1 near [[Kofinou]] with A3 by Larnaca
* [[A6 motorway (Cyprus)|A6]] [[Pafos]] to [[Limassol]]
* [[A7 motorway (Cyprus)|A7]] [[Paphos]] to [[Polis]] (final plans)
* [[A9 motorway (Cyprus)|A9]] Nicosia to [[Astromeritis]]
* [[A22 motorway (Cyprus)|A22]] [[Dali, Cyprus|Dali]] industrial area to [[Anthoupolis]], [[Lakatamia]] (Nicosia 3rd ring road, final plans)

== Public Transportation ==
[[Nicosia]]'s residents rely on private cars to go around the city. With more than  658 automobiles per 1,000 people,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-17 |title=Passenger cars per 1 000 inhabitants reached 560 in 2022 |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20240117-1 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=ec.europa.eu |language=en-GB}}</ref> Cyprus has one of the highest car ownership rates in the world and the country uses very little public transportation. Only 3% of journeys in the Greater Nicosia urban region are made by public transportation. Cycling is considerably less common at 2%.<ref name=":70">{{Cite web |title=Get on the bus first to make Nicosia tram infrastructure worth the investment |url=https://www.eib.org/en/essays/nicosia-tram-infrastructure |access-date=2022-09-01 |website=European Investment Bank |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Trem Global {{!}} Public Transportation in Nicosia |url=https://www.tremglobal.com/articles/public-transportation-in-nicosia |access-date=2022-09-01 |website=www.tremglobal.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sustainable Transport |url=https://www.cea.org.cy/en/viosimi-kinitikotita/ |access-date=2022-09-01 |website=www.cea.org.cy |language=en}}</ref> The government of Cyprus and authorities of Nicosia have developed a public transportation plan to ensure access to more areas and provide more options, apart from private cars.<ref name=":70" />

=== Public Transportation Companies ===
In Cyprus, public transportation by bus is run by different companies based on the district.

<u>'''[[Nicosia District|Nicosia]] and [[Larnaca District|Larnaca]]:'''</u> NPT (Nicosia Public Transport) and LPT (Larnaca Public Transport), operated by Cyprus Public Transport (CPT)

'''<u>[[Limassol District|Limassol]]:</u>''' EMEL (Transport Company for Limassol Commuters)

'''<u>[[Paphos District|Paphos]]:</u>''' OSYPA (Paphos Transport Organisation)

'''<u>[[Famagusta District|Famagusta]]:</u>''' OSEA (Famagusta District Transport Organisation)

'''<u>INTERCITY BUSES:</u>''' Services transport between all major cities[[File:Somolos square Bus station in Nicosia Republic of Cyprus during evening.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Solomos Square]] bus station]]

===Public Buses===
In 2006, extensive plans were announced to improve and expand bus services and restructure public transport throughout Cyprus, with the financial backing of the European Union Development Bank. In 2010, the new revised and expanded bus network was implemented into the system.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cyprusbybus.com/setups.aspx|title=Cyprus By Bus - Cyprus Bus stops, bus routes and bus time tables|website=www.cyprusbybus.com|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref>

In 2020, the transport companies for the districts of [[Nicosia District|Nicosia]] and [[Larnaca District|Larnaca]] were changed from OSEL (Nicosia District Transport Organisation) to NPT (Nicosia Public Transport) and from ZENON Larnaca Buses<ref>{{Cite web |last=24h.com.cy |date=2020-06-23 |title=Απεργιακά μέτρα αρχίζουν εργαζομένων στην εταιρεία «ΖΗΝΩΝ» Λάρνακας – 24h.com.cy |trans-title=Workers at the "Zenon" company in Larnaca begin strike action - 24h.com.cy |url=https://24h.com.cy/apergiaka-metra-archizoyn-ergazomenon-stin-etaireia-zinon-larnakas/ |access-date=2023-09-20 |language=EL}}</ref> to LPT (Larnaca Public Transport) respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ανακοινωθέντα Άρθρο - PIO |trans-title=Announced Article - PIO |url=https://www.pio.gov.cy/%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BD%CF%89%CE%B8%CE%AD%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B1-%CE%AC%CF%81%CE%B8%CF%81%CE%BF.html?id=14575#flat |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=www.pio.gov.cy |language=EL}}</ref>

In 2022, Cyprus Public Transport made new plans for [[Nicosia]]'s Public Transport by changing route numbers, adding new bus hubs and modernising buses and the all-out feel of the transport system. The plan has been introduced in two phases and is currently completed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-29 |title=First phase of new bus network kicks off in Nicosia {{!}} Cyprus Mail |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/01/29/first-phase-of-new-bus-network-kicks-off-in-nicosia/ |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=cyprus-mail.com/ |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Rail===
Cyprus currently has no functioning railway systems. The last of the [[Narrow-gauge railways in Cyprus|narrow gauge systems]] in the country closed in 1974. There had been studies and preparatory work done to establish a modern system between the major cities,<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2022 |title=Cyprus ponders building a new railway with EU funding |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/10/10/cyprus-ponders-building-a-new-railway-with-eu-funding/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |publisher= [[Cyprus Mail]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> motivated by worsening traffic issues. Ιn October 2024, a company in England showed their interest to construct a new railway system in Cyprus.

In 2018, [[Nicosia]] municipal authorities requested an opinion on the construction of a tram network in the city to the [[European Investment Bank]]'s JASPERS strategists, who concluded a need for a phased approach.<ref name=":70"/> Relevant studies were also carried out in the past, but no concrete plans has materialised.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 2023 |title=Nicosia Mayor urges study, implementation of tram network |url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2023/09/22/nicosia-mayor-urges-study-implementation-of-tram-network/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |publisher= [[Cyprus Mail]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Licensed Vehicles==
[[File:Solomos Square bus station in Nicosia Republic of Cyprus.jpg|thumb|Public blue buses operated by OSEL in [[Solomos Square]], [[Nicosia]]]]
[[File:MercedesW210-Cyprus.JPG|thumb|A taxi in Cyprus]]
Road transport is the dominant form of transport on the island. Figures released by the International Road Federation in 2007 show that Cyprus holds the highest car ownership rate in the world with 742 cars per 1,000 people.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ryu |first=Jin |title=Korea Ranks 40th in Car Ownership|newspaper=The Korea Times |date=2007-12-14 |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2007/12/123_15561.html|access-date=2007-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220212640/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2007/12/123_15561.html|archive-date=2007-12-20 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Number of licensed vehicles<ref name="pio">{{cite web|url=http://www.pio.gov.cy/mof/cystat/statistics.nsf/services_72main_gr/services_72main_gr?OpenForm&sub=2&sel=2|title=ΑΡΧΙΚΗ|website=PIO – Public Works Department official statistics.|access-date=2018-08-16}}</ref>
|-
! [[Vehicle size class|Vehicle Category]]
! 2016
! 2017
! 2018
! 2019
! 2020
! 2021
! 2022
! 2023
! 2024
|-
|'''TOTAL OF CARS'''
|12,643.00
|13,127.00
|13,135.00
|15,200.00
|14,500.00
|14,565.00
|33,795.00
|2,994.00
|4,369.00
|}

Public transport in Cyprus is limited to privately run bus services (except in [[Nicosia District|Nicosia]] and [[Larnaca District|Larnaca]]), taxis, and interurban 'shared' taxi services (locally referred to as service taxis). Thus, private car ownership in the country is the fifth highest per capita in the world. However, in 2006 extensive plans were announced to expand and improve bus services and restructure public transport throughout Cyprus, with the financial backing of the [[European Union]] Development Bank

== Sea Harbours and Ports ==

The ports of Cyprus are operated and maintained by the [[Cyprus Ports Authority]]. Major [[harbour]]s of the island are [[Limassol Port|Limassol Harbour]], and Larnaca Harbour, which service cargo, passenger, and cruise ships. Limassol is the larger of the two, and handles a large volume of both cargo and cruise vessels. Larnaca is primarily a cargo port but played a big part in the evacuation of foreign nationals from [[Lebanon]] in 2006, and in the subsequent humanitarian aid effort. A smaller cargo dock also exists at Vasilikos, near [[Zygi]] (a small town between Larnaca and Limassol). Smaller vessels and private yachts can dock at Marinas in Cyprus.

==Public Bicycle Sharing System==
[[File:New Public Buses in Nicosia Republic of Cyprus in the afternoon.jpg|thumb|Public bicycles in Nicosia]]

[[Nextbike]] is the latest transportation system in Cyprus, similar to programs employed successfully in various cities around the world. Bicycles can be found at stations in [[Nicosia]] and [[Limassol]], as well as with 1 station in [[Larnaca]].

== Merchant Marine ==

:''See full article on [[Cyprus Merchant Marine]]''
'''Total:''' 1,414 ships (with a volume of {{GT|1,000|disp=long}} or over) totaling {{GT|23,497,776}}/{{DWT|37,331,506|metric|disp=long}}

'''''Ships by Type:''''' barge carrier 2, [[bulk carrier]] 442, [[cargo ship]] 495, [[chemical tanker]] 22, combination bulk 40, combination ore/oil 8, [[container ship]] 144, [[LNG carrier|Liquified Gas Carrier]] 6, [[passenger ship]] 8, [[oil tanker|petroleum tanker]] 142, refrigerated cargo 41, roll-on/roll-off 45, short-sea passenger 13, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 2 (1999 est.)

== Airports ==
[[Image:New Larnaca Airport.JPG|thumb|right|Larnaca International Airport]]
In 1999, Cyprus had [[List of airports in Cyprus|12 airports]] with paved runways. Of them, seven had runways of lengths between 2,438 and 3,047 metres, one had a length between 1,524 and 2,437 metres, three had lengths between 914 and 1524 metres, and one had a length less than 914 metres.

Of the three airports with unpaved runways, two had lengths less than 914 metres and one had a length between 914 and 1524 metres.

=== International airports ===
'''[[Larnaca International Airport]]''' is the island's main airport and flies to many locations worldwide.

'''[[Paphos International Airport]]''' is the 2nd largest airport and mostly flies to [[Europe]], via [[Ryanair]]; with occasional flights to other continents.

'''[[Nicosia International Airport]]''' is an abandoned airport. It used to be the island's main airport until 1974. It remains closed to the public.

'''[[Ercan International Airport]]''' is the main airport in the [[de facto]] state of [[Northern Cyprus]]. The airport's only destination is Turkey, serviced only by a few flight companies from Turkey. Flights to and from [[Ercan International Airport|Ercan Airport]] are embargoed. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-19 |title=Embargo on Turkish Cyprus was breached through education |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/opinion/jale-ozgenturk/embargo-on-turkish-cyprus-was-breached-through-education-109928 |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=Hürriyet Daily News |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Cyprus topics}}
{{Transportation in Europe}}
{{Asia topic|Transport in}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Transport in Cyprus}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transport In Cyprus}}
[[Category:Transport in Cyprus| ]]