Plan for a Train System in South Cyprus

The man, named John Kaponi, claims to have formed “a group of informed and highly skilled individuals” to devise the plan, adding that those on his team “have specific skills experiences with other train/metro systems and in corporate finance and government relations”.

Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades confirmed to the Cyprus Mail that he had no involvement in drawing up of the plan, but said he would be “willing to have a look” should a plan be submitted to him.

“Cyprus, a burgeoning hub of commerce and tourism in the Mediterranean, lacks a critical piece of infrastructure that could significantly enhance its connectivity and economic growth – a comprehensive rail system,” Kaponi said, outlining his proposal.

As such, he came up with five planned railway lines which would cross the island.

The first would link Larnaca airport to Nicosia, the second would be between Larnaca airport and the Limassol marina, the third would link the Limassol marina to Paphos, the fourth would connect Paphos and Larnaca airport, and the fifth would link Larnaca airport and Paralimni.

Kaponi claims this would reduce travel times between Larnaca airport and Nicosia to just 20 minutes.

Additionally, he listed a planned Kyrenia station, which, he said, would “be a key hub-connector for the towns and cities in the north of [the] island”, though did not list any possible routes to or from the station.

As well as the five cross-country lines, he also came up with five metro or tram lines which would cross and encircle Nicosia.

The first would encircle central Nicosia, with stops at an as-yet-undefined Nicosia central station, Eleftheria square, the old city, the University of Cyprus, the Nicosia general hospital and the Nicosia mall.

The second would run from east to west, taking in Latsia, Strovolos, the “city centre”, Engomi, Ayios Dhometios, and Makedonitissa, while the third would run from north to south, taking in Lakatamia, Anthoupoli, the city centre, Aglandjia, and Ayioi Trimithias.

The fourth line would travel through the small village of Kampia Orinis, while also going through the Nicosia central station, Lakatamia, Paliometocho, and Dali, while the fifth line would be an “airport express” connecting Nicosia, Latsia, and Larnaca airport.

The village of Kampia Orinis is mentioned 14 times in the document which outlines the national plans, with Kaponi claiming that “extending the network to rural villages like Kampia Orinis ensures that everyone in the region has access to fast, reliable public transport.”

He added that a station in the village, which has a population of around 400 people, would “provide essential connectivity for the village’s residents”.

He said the station in Kampia Orinis would be built out of natural stone and “wooden accents” and would cost between €10 million and €30m.

He estimated the total cost of all of his plans to range between €4 billion and €8bn and said the funding would be provided by public-private partnerships, grants and loans from the European Union, government bonds, and carbon reduction funds.

John Kaponi was a managing partner of a company which goes by the name “IPM Press” and says on the company’s website he has “an in-depth understanding of EU institutions”.

His social media says he now works at law firm Addleshaw Goddard, though his name does not appear on the company’s website.

Source: Cyprus Mail