Limassol traffic congestion blamed on historical urban planning failures

Limassol is currently facing severe traffic congestion which the CEO of the local bus operator EMEL, Giorgos Kyriakou, describes as the direct consequence of poor urban planning decisions made 25 years ago. During an interview, Kyriakou stated that the city lacks the necessary road infrastructure and space to implement effective corrective measures, noting that current traffic conditions are severely impacting both residents and the mental well-being of bus drivers.

Despite these infrastructural challenges, EMEL has reported a notable rise in public transit usage. Statistics provided by the company indicate that they transported approximately 5.14 million passengers during the first nine months of 2026, marking a significant increase of 780,000 compared to the 4.36 million passengers recorded during the same period in 2025. This growth suggests an increasing public reliance on public transport when services align with commuter needs.

Kyriakou has urged the state to accelerate decision-making processes to address the gridlock. He warned that if conditions do not improve, the company faces potential staffing crises, as drivers are reaching their limits and cannot be expected to endure continuous delays caused by the systemic infrastructure failures. No specific timeline for state interventions was provided, though the situation remains a critical concern for the operator.