Making PT more attractive: improved routes, timetables, ticketing and bike transport

Summary

The goal of this measure was to improve PT services that serve the needs of tourists and local people. To achieve this, better designed routes and timetable adjustments ensure that the service is convenient and attractive to increase the number of PT users. Bike racks enable combination of cycling and PT.

The local tourist information offices have been recording complaints from visitors regarding inconvenient PT routes, connections and timetables. These complaints were the basis of the changes that were introduced.

The increasing interest in cycling can be combined with the use of PT, to carry the bike to a new location for cycling. Installation of 20 bike racks on buses assist in combining the use PT with cycling in the region. The locations were carefully selected, to offer an interesting cycling option.

Implementing sustainable mobility

Bike racks on buses

A total number of 20 bike racks have been installed in 20 Limassol buses with the support of a surveillance system on the back of the bus. The surveillance system installed according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Works to ensure the safety of passengers.

This allows cyclists to combine sustainable mobility modes for their leisure trips and enable the combination of cycling and PT. 20 video cameras have been installed on the rear of the buses to ensure the safety of passengers and drivers.

Wi-Fi services on buses

The Limassol Tourism Company (LTC) installed a free pilot Wi-Fi service in three buses, to increase the satisfaction of passengers using PT and attract new users. The provision of Wi-Fi service allows and boosts the modernisation and the upgrade of the commuting services for Limassol to become a “smarter city”.

Improvement of bus routes

Several meetings between the Cyprus Tourism Organization, LTC, Limassol Bus Company and the representatives of the Ministry of Transport Communication and Works took place in which the recorded complaints from tourists regarding the use of PT have been presented.

Suggestions and solutions have been found for the improvement of PT routes and timetables. Moreover, four urban and three rural bus routes have been improved during DESTINATIONS.

Stakeholder engagement

During the life cycle of the project, stakeholder engagement helped the measure to be completed successfully as they gave suggestions and solutions for its accomplishment.

Furthermore, Limassol Bus Company and Ministry of Transport, Communication & Works worked very closely with LTC by providing permits, availability of their buses and specific guidelines. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation collaborated to change the timetable of buses to be more suitable for passengers.

Promotional campaigns

A communication strategy has been designed, for the promotion of the free Wi-Fi service, which includes advertorials in hotel magazine and local media, communication material and billboards on buses.

Outcomes

• Awareness of tourists and residents about the improved PT routes and timetables - people were aware about the improved PT routes of Troodos by 86%, in rural areas by 45% and in urban areas by 52%. Between July 2019 to February 2020.
• Tourists and residents acceptance of using the PT - 59% of people are already using the PT. Between July 2019 to February 2020.
• Tourists and residents more satisfied with PT transport system - 95% were very satisfied with the improved PT system. Between July 2019 to February 2020.
• Aware tourists and residents about transporting the bike on PT - 46% of people were aware of the possibility to transport the bike on buses. Between July 2019 to February 2020.
• Tourists and residents acceptance of transporting a bike on PT - 14% had already transported their bikes by bus. Between July 2019 to February 2020.
• Tourists’ and residents’ level of satisfaction by using the bike transportation service via PT - 89% of satisfied people. Between July 2019 to February 2020.