MAIN BUS STATION IN KATO PAPHOS TO BE MOVED

From Cyprus Mail 3 August 2016 - article by Bejay Browne

THE main bus terminal serving the tourist area in Kato Paphos will be moved in a few months as it is built on top of a major archaeological site, according to the local municipality.

Although the bus station was granted licence to be built a number of years ago, Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos and the municipality are insisting it should be moved to another site, according to a municipality spokesman.

“The bus station is built in an important archaeological area and the municipality is insisting that it should be moved very soon. This is not a place to have a construction as it is forbidden to build on this archaeological site,” he said.

The bus terminal is next to the archaeological park in Kato Paphos, which has been a recognised UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980.   For many years, campaigners have been demanding that the main bus terminal is relocated back to its original site in Pano Paphos, as they say businesses in the area have been adversely affected after the station moved to Kato Paphos.  Many believe that the revitalisation of the old town, which is currently seeing large swathes of it dug up as major upgrading plans are underway, is dependent on it.

Kyriacos Kyriacou, head of the Pafos Old Town Association, said that the association members and the public still support the notion of moving the station back to the old town.  Under a previous government and a decision made by a former minister, a deal was made to move the bus station from Karavella in the old town to the harbour area of Kato Paphos.

“We have been trying for a long time to get the terminal moved back and also for a one ticket system to be incorporated, rather than double ticketing for a journey stating from Coral Bay and ending in the old town, for example,” he said.  He added that vested interests are making this difficult.
However, the municipality spokesman said that the station would be moved to another area close by and that several other sites are being considered, although nothing has yet been agreed.

“The Tomb of the Kings Road is a possibility, as is an area opposite the Anemi hotel in Kato Paphos. There are alternatives but nothing has been decided yet.”  Although the municipality would like to take action immediately, they are mindful that it is currently the height of the tourist season, he said, adding that the action would most likely take place in October or November.