Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos and Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis are jointly exploring the possibility of bringing tram systems to Cyprus's two largest cities. In a joint request to the Transport Ministry, the mayors have sought official support, though the ministry currently appears skeptical. According to Prountzos, the ministry's relevant department believes the European Investment Bank would not fund the project, arguing that current bus ridership is too low to justify a new form of public transport. Prountzos countered this view, pointing out that the bus system has been operating for 17 years under the current contracts and has failed to attract the expected volume of passengers. He stressed that a tram system would not replace buses but would run alongside them to create a more robust public transit network for commuters.
The push for a fixed-track transport system comes at a strategic time, as the Nicosia bus contract is scheduled to expire in 2030, and consultations on new service specifications have already begun. Prountzos stated that the goal is to revive the prospect of trams on new rails and to weigh every relevant factor in the decision-making process. This includes looking beyond the direct construction, operation, and maintenance costs to broader societal expenses, such as the economic impact of emissions from road traffic. The Nicosia municipality is not asking for a completely new study but rather an update of a feasibility study prepared in the past, a move that could streamline the path toward implementation.
The tram idea is one of the key items on the agenda of a recent meeting between the two mayors, aimed at aligning municipal strategies for sustainable urban mobility. Prountzos confirmed the discussions to the daily newspaper Phileleftheros, noting that the issue was raised following direct consultations with Armeftis. However, the Nicosia mayor declined to speak on behalf of his Limassol counterpart. The initiative revives a debate that previously surfaced during the tenure of former transport minister Alexis Vafeades. Vafeades had argued that the European Union prefers strategies focused on increasing bus ridership to make a tram system viable. He also questioned the project's long-term sustainability, emphasizing that the ongoing costs of maintaining and running the tram must be added to the initial building expenses.