Through alternative modes of transportation, we may change our habits, Commissioner for the Environment, Maria Panayiotou, said on Friday, with Nicosia Mayor, Constantinos Yiorkadjis, noting that it is necessary to set a study in motion for a tram installation in Nicosia and Limassol.

Panayiotou and Yiorkadjis spoke to the Cyprus News Agency on Friday, at the closing ceremony of the European Mobility Week of the Nicosia Municipality, at Miki Theodorakis Street (Nicosia Municipal Theatre). During the European Mobility Week, various activities took place, such as sports activities to inform citizens and schoolchildren. In this context, Miki Theodorakis Street will be closed from Friday morning until midnight.

Panayiotou called on citizens to take advantage of all the activities that are taking place in all cities, noting that the citizens of Nicosia today have the opportunity to come here and get informed, while children can discover alternative ways of mobility in a playful way.

At the same time, she recalled that today all public transport is free of charge following a joint initiative of the Ministry of Transport and the Office of the Environment Commissioner. European Mobility Week events peak on 22 September with a car-free day, she noted, adding that similar events take place in 1500 cities throughout the European Union.

Yiorkadjis pointed out that all the efforts that have been made so far by the respective governments are correct, underlining that the final goal should be a tram installation, both in Nicosia and Limassol.

He added that "building a tram is a one-way street", saying that it is often heard that the tram is not viable by comparing financial figures. He noted that when the social aspect is taken into account, the social and environmental benefits the tram provides "prove that it is viable and it is necessary to start a study process for its installation."

The Mayor of Nicosia noted also that through education we hope to form a new culture, with new habits.