Cyprus-Forum.com

[cyprusgrump]

I watched a documentary some time ago about buses that could run on an alternative form of fuel that was much more economical and greener and from what I remember it was not too difficult or expensive to install. Buses can use the whole road network and can pick people from several locations within the cities. To use the train you would have to go to the train station. And then when you arrive at the other train station you will again need some other form of transportation to go where you want to go. No Cypriot would bother to change 3 means of transportation just to go from Limassol to Nicosia. The only way that some Cypriots will use public transportation is if they can take a bus from somewhere near their home and then arrive somewhere near the place they want to go without the need to change bus more than once.

Absolutely right Sotos!

It is only a couple of hours from Pafos to Nicosia on the road system - going bus >>train >> bus to complete the same journey would take significantly longer...

A train 'network' that connects the major towns would only benefit a small number of people that happen to live near the station and work close to the station at the other end...

We are paying for this folks remember!

Even if the EU generously pays for half of the study, remember how much extra we are paying for fuel because of EU taxes every day!

[BOF]

i may be wrong but since when did the EU set the level of excise/tax on petrol/ diesel in individual member countries?
do they collect a percentage of the taxes levied?
Likewise with water - the EU tells you how much to charge?

sorry but i think someone in Cyprus is being "economical with the truth"
here so they dont get blamed for the rises....

[CBBB]

i may be wrong but since when did the EU set the level of excise/tax on petrol/ diesel in individual member countries?
do they collect a percentage of the taxes levied?
Likewise with water - the EU tells you how much to charge?

sorry but i think someone in Cyprus is being "economical with the truth"
here so they dont get blamed for the rises....

I think you will find that Cyprus got a moratorium on charging the full amount of VAT on fuel, which has now expired. The EU does set minimum VAT levels.

With water it has something to do with the real cost of production as the Government is not allowed to subsidise the water companies, which they have been doing.

[cyprusgrump]

i may be wrong but since when did the EU set the level of excise/tax on petrol/ diesel in individual member countries?
do they collect a percentage of the taxes levied?
Likewise with water - the EU tells you how much to charge?

sorry but i think someone in Cyprus is being "economical with the truth"
here so they dont get blamed for the rises....

Not only did the EU enforce a VAT rise from 10% to 15% which applies to fuel...

They also imposed rules which meant that instead of selling 'diesel' at the garages they have to sell 'diesel', 'red diesel' and 'Euro diesel' with all the increased storage, distribution and enforcement costs that implied.

[Tim Drayton]

In a study http://www.lightrailnow.org/facts/fa_lrt04.htm into Los Angeles’s Blue Line light rail service, pictured here



it is stated:

One of the most important advantages of light rail transit (LRT) is its propensity to lower operating costs – a key reason why this mode is such an attractive choice compared to various bus service alternatives. As numerous studies have demonstrated, LRT typically tends to be much cheaper to operate than comparable bus service, especially for higher passenger volumes, since LRT tends to attract more passengers than buses, for a given level of service, and then to provide increased capacity more cost-effectively to transport those passengers expeditiously, safely, and comfortably.
A primary reason why light rail costs tend to be lower is that LRT vehicles provide more passenger space and, in addition, can be coupled in trains, usually between 2 and 4 cars in length. This typically means that only a single train operator is required instead of many bus drivers – a significant cost advantage over the need for a driver for every bus.

Surely it is worth looking into the feasibility of such a system in Cyprus? If the study shows that it is not feasible, then don't build it.

[Oracle]

We do not want any of your remnants of Colonial Rule in Pafos, so we are pleased to be excluded from the network

In any case the taxi drivers would have blown up the lines if they came here!

The taxi drivers need to get their cosy little monopoly broken up by force. Is there still no bus service to and from the airport? If not, why not?

There is now.

Nice one. Does that apply to Larnaca as well? And how come this situation went on for so long, any ideas?

Too many stupid Brits will to pay the taxis!

You're probably right. But that leaves the sensible foreigners to think they've arrived on an island of legalised robbery. Doesn't leave a good impression with tourists and we all need them. The first time I came across this scandal I went to a taxi driver at the back of the rank and gave him six quid to take me to town. The going rate was about 15-20.

Well said The stupid Brits are now voting with their feet, what a shame for the rip off merchants, they can only go to cabaret once a week now. Their wives and girlfriends do not know what is happening as they come home so often.

Yes, they have voted with their feet!

From today's Google-news:

An increase in holidaymakers from Britain and Germany helped Cyprus tourist arrivals grow by 14.8 percent in March from a year earlier -

Arrivals were 103,803 against 90,434 in March 2009.

For the first quarter ending in March the number of arrivals rose by 5.6 percent from 194,127 last year to 205,006.

'Lies, damn lies and statistics'

Go back over the last ten years and come up with the real figures. This place is in the shit and you know it. Come up with the same figures for Turkey and Egypt in the same period if you want, I do not think you will like the results.

Wake up and smell the coffee.

When will you realise you cannot come here and spout rubbish without being shown for the fool that you are!

If you refute what I provided as evidence, then counter with evidence and facts not your hot air and bollix!

For now here's the refutation of your more recent bollix ...

Larnaca has risen +6 points and Paphos +1 point in the most recent figures for most popular holiday destinations!

http://www.fly-2let.co.uk/news387.html

[cyprusgrump]

In a study http://www.lightrailnow.org/facts/fa_lrt04.htm into Los Angeles’s Blue Line light rail service, pictured here



it is stated:

One of the most important advantages of light rail transit (LRT) is its propensity to lower operating costs – a key reason why this mode is such an attractive choice compared to various bus service alternatives. As numerous studies have demonstrated, LRT typically tends to be much cheaper to operate than comparable bus service, especially for higher passenger volumes, since LRT tends to attract more passengers than buses, for a given level of service, and then to provide increased capacity more cost-effectively to transport those passengers expeditiously, safely, and comfortably.
A primary reason why light rail costs tend to be lower is that LRT vehicles provide more passenger space and, in addition, can be coupled in trains, usually between 2 and 4 cars in length. This typically means that only a single train operator is required instead of many bus drivers – a significant cost advantage over the need for a driver for every bus.

Surely it is worth looking into the feasibility of such a system in Cyprus? If the study shows that it is not feasible, then don't build it.

You don't think a report from 'The Light Rail Project Team' might be a little bit biased...?

Even they state: -

As numerous studies have demonstrated, LRT typically tends to be much cheaper to operate than comparable bus service, especially for higher passenger volumes, ...

As of 2005, the official estimate of the population of the Los Angeles metropolitan area is more than 12.9 million,

Go figure...

The other thing about this of course is that is it was such a brilliant cost effective scheme somebody might have thought of doing it already...?

[Milo]

We do not want any of your remnants of Colonial Rule in Pafos, so we are pleased to be excluded from the network

In any case the taxi drivers would have blown up the lines if they came here!

The taxi drivers need to get their cosy little monopoly broken up by force. Is there still no bus service to and from the airport? If not, why not?

There is now.

Nice one. Does that apply to Larnaca as well? And how come this situation went on for so long, any ideas?

Too many stupid Brits will to pay the taxis!

You're probably right. But that leaves the sensible foreigners to think they've arrived on an island of legalised robbery. Doesn't leave a good impression with tourists and we all need them. The first time I came across this scandal I went to a taxi driver at the back of the rank and gave him six quid to take me to town. The going rate was about 15-20.

Well said The stupid Brits are now voting with their feet, what a shame for the rip off merchants, they can only go to cabaret once a week now. Their wives and girlfriends do not know what is happening as they come home so often.

Yes, they have voted with their feet!

From today's Google-news:

An increase in holidaymakers from Britain and Germany helped Cyprus tourist arrivals grow by 14.8 percent in March from a year earlier -

Arrivals were 103,803 against 90,434 in March 2009.

For the first quarter ending in March the number of arrivals rose by 5.6 percent from 194,127 last year to 205,006.

'Lies, damn lies and statistics'

Go back over the last ten years and come up with the real figures. This place is in the shit and you know it. Come up with the same figures for Turkey and Egypt in the same period if you want, I do not think you will like the results.

Wake up and smell the coffee.

When will you realise you cannot come here and spout rubbish without being shown for the fool that you are!

If you refute what I provided as evidence, then counter with evidence and facts not your hot air and bollix!

For now here's the refutation of your more recent bollix ...

Larnaca has risen +6 points and Paphos +1 point in the most recent figures for most popular holiday destinations!

http://www.fly-2let.co.uk/news387.html

Is,nt your link to an investment property site? Somewhat biased in 'where' they wish to sell maybe

But statistics show a slight increase in tourist arrivals as do some airlines saying they have fuller planes, less flights coming this year though but still a small rise is good and at the same time an increase in property sales especially in my area famagusta, albeit at well below value. Still it all has to restart somewhere.

Regarding trains could,nt Cyprus benefit from a suspension railway less upheavel than the years of roadworks, and would suit the terrain better and hopefully not to polluting to the landscape. Been on one of these speeds are very fast

This could be connected to the new airport straight over the heads of the taxi drivers ha ha. But of course stations can take the taxi surplus as many will want a lift home with all their shopping like me!

http://www.trainnet.org/Libraries/Lib003/TRANS2.JPG

[Tim Drayton]

In a study http://www.lightrailnow.org/facts/fa_lrt04.htm into Los Angeles’s Blue Line light rail service, pictured here



it is stated:

One of the most important advantages of light rail transit (LRT) is its propensity to lower operating costs – a key reason why this mode is such an attractive choice compared to various bus service alternatives. As numerous studies have demonstrated, LRT typically tends to be much cheaper to operate than comparable bus service, especially for higher passenger volumes, since LRT tends to attract more passengers than buses, for a given level of service, and then to provide increased capacity more cost-effectively to transport those passengers expeditiously, safely, and comfortably.
A primary reason why light rail costs tend to be lower is that LRT vehicles provide more passenger space and, in addition, can be coupled in trains, usually between 2 and 4 cars in length. This typically means that only a single train operator is required instead of many bus drivers – a significant cost advantage over the need for a driver for every bus.

Surely it is worth looking into the feasibility of such a system in Cyprus? If the study shows that it is not feasible, then don't build it.

You don't think a report from 'The Light Rail Project Team' might be a little bit biased...?

Even they state: -

As numerous studies have demonstrated, LRT typically tends to be much cheaper to operate than comparable bus service, especially for higher passenger volumes, ...

As of 2005, the official estimate of the population of the Los Angeles metropolitan area is more than 12.9 million,

Go figure...

The other thing about this of course is that is it was such a brilliant cost effective scheme somebody might have thought of doing it already...?

I agree that high passenger volumes are needed. The current bus service between Limassol and Nicosia is apparently the only one that makes a profit in Cyprus, so that provides a certain amount of hope. There may well not be enough passengers to make it viable, and 300,000 euros is a lot for a study, but I still think it is worth looking into the possibilities, especially if it can run along the central verge in the current highway.

[cyprusgrump]

In a study http://www.lightrailnow.org/facts/fa_lrt04.htm into Los Angeles’s Blue Line light rail service, pictured here



it is stated:

One of the most important advantages of light rail transit (LRT) is its propensity to lower operating costs – a key reason why this mode is such an attractive choice compared to various bus service alternatives. As numerous studies have demonstrated, LRT typically tends to be much cheaper to operate than comparable bus service, especially for higher passenger volumes, since LRT tends to attract more passengers than buses, for a given level of service, and then to provide increased capacity more cost-effectively to transport those passengers expeditiously, safely, and comfortably.
A primary reason why light rail costs tend to be lower is that LRT vehicles provide more passenger space and, in addition, can be coupled in trains, usually between 2 and 4 cars in length. This typically means that only a single train operator is required instead of many bus drivers – a significant cost advantage over the need for a driver for every bus.

Surely it is worth looking into the feasibility of such a system in Cyprus? If the study shows that it is not feasible, then don't build it.

You don't think a report from 'The Light Rail Project Team' might be a little bit biased...?

Even they state: -

As numerous studies have demonstrated, LRT typically tends to be much cheaper to operate than comparable bus service, especially for higher passenger volumes, ...

As of 2005, the official estimate of the population of the Los Angeles metropolitan area is more than 12.9 million,

Go figure...

The other thing about this of course is that is it was such a brilliant cost effective scheme somebody might have thought of doing it already...?

I agree that high passenger volumes are needed. The current bus service between Limassol and Nicosia is apparently the only one that makes a profit in Cyprus, so that provides a certain amount of hope. There may well not be enough passengers to make it viable, and 300,000 euros is a lot for a study, but I still think it is worth looking into the possibilities, especially if it can run along the central verge in the current highway.

What, a teeny, tiny train along the central reservation...?