Broken traffic lights and vandalism among 370 reports on new road app

Around 370 reports were submitted during the first week of operation of ‘Fix Cyprus’, the app that was launched by the Cyprus Centre for Research and Excellence (Kios) allowing people to report problems on the roads.

According to a statement released by the transport ministry on Wednesday, the app has been downloaded on over 3,000 mobile devices. 

A total of 155 reports were submitted in Nicosia, 100 in Limassol, 60 in Larnaca, 25 in Paphos and 30 in the Famagusta district. 

All reports were received and examined by the public works departments and later passed on to other relevant authorities. 

Operating under the University of Cyprus, the app allows people to report problems including broken traffic lights, damage and vandalism directly to public sector authorities, which can then investigate the claims and proceed with correcting the issue. 

The majority of the reports submitted to date related to damage to roads and sidewalks and vandalised street signs. Complaints of illegal parking, however, were rejected as they do not fall within the conditions of use of the app. 

Moreover, 80 per cent of the total reports concerned residential streets, which will fall under the local authority’s responsibility and jurisdiction. 

“It is important that people keep using the app, as their role is crucial in keeping our streets safe,” Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said after the app’s first week of operation. 

“We will monitor the reports and the app’s progress to intervene where problems arise.” 

Karousos said the promotion of a series of actions and legislative regulations to improve the level of road safety is among the priorities of the ministry. 

The app is available from the play store or the Apple store