What does it take to transform Cyprus into a beacon of efficient, accessible, and forward-thinking public transportation? In this interview, we speak with Soteris Tsigarides, General Manager for Rides at Bolt Cyprus, about his vision for creating what he calls the “utopia of public transportation.”

In 2018, Tsigarides first introduced Taxify—later rebranded as Bolt—in Nicosia, operating under a franchise that also managed the company’s presence in Malta. By 2022, the franchise was acquired by the parent company, fully integrating Cyprus into Bolt’s global ecosystem as a prime market alongside Malta and Tunisia. Since then, Tsigarides has served as Country Manager (General Manager) for Bolt Rides in Cyprus. Today, Bolt in Cyprus spans several key sectors, including Bolt Rides (encompassing taxis and, soon, minibuses), Bolt Food (Bolt Markets), Bolt Rentals (with scooters currently available only in Nicosia), as well as Bolt Business (though without the Lux service).

I would say that the utopia of Public Transportation is possible and the only constraint is the lack of vision and the clear lack of willingness to achieve it. 

What I would not want to believe is that the short term benefits of certain people/companies/or industries are the main drive for not creating this Utopia because in the long run, the socioeconomic and environmental benefits and kickbacks are huge.

The main factors driving this growth is our innovative mindset and the fact that we consider ourselves as a mobility platform. That said, we aim to expand all our current and future services in Cyprus always with respect to the regulatory frameworks of the island. Our motto is and will always be to give cities back to the people.

The Cypriot market in terms of mobility is extremely immature yet the social needs show that we are at a break point and in immediate need of change or maturity.

We want to give the cities back to the people and would like to address all needs and to be able to serve all social groups. To do so, and should the market -and regulatory frameworks- allow us, as mentioned before, to expand all our services in Cyprus and be a key element to everything that is mobility on the island.

Ride-hailing and mobility solutions are key to reinventing the whole passenger transportation experience on the island. Public transportation should not be seen as just buses. No, this is a misconception. Public Transportation is an ecosystem ranging from cargo trains, to passenger trains, to trams, to taxis, to PHVs (private hire vehicles), to rentals, to car pooling, to e-scooters, to tuk tuks, to Malta’s Traffic Buster, and to anything and everything offering a last mile solution. Transportation should be abundant for the user to request based on his purchasing power and not restricted.

Against all odds, we managed to expand to all major cities of the island and have proven, especially to taxi drivers, that they should not fear technology but rather embrace it.

Our technical know-hows has helped shape the taxi industry in Cyprus, increase quality and service and even guide drivers to more revenues via optimising and utilising their times and vehicles much more efficiently.

Our philosophy is to work along governments and offer our knowledge, expertise and good practices from other European markets that we operate in and thus help modernise and improve outdated practices that are not compatible with today's world. Furthermore, one of our key interests is always a safe journey and that includes both the driver and rider.

What: Bolt Cyprus

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Who: Soteris Tsigarides was born in Nicosia in 1979. He graduated from the Grammar School Nicosia (Science Section) in 1997 and then completed his military service in the infantry until 1999. From 1999 to 2001, he attended evening classes at Cyprus College (Business Studies) while working full-time at his family’s taxi business, “Finlandia Taxi” in Engomi. His responsibilities included call center operations, accounting, driving, mechanical work, and handling bids. In 2002, alongside the family business, he opened a part-time motorcycle workshop. Initially started as a hobby, it grew into a combined passion and part-time job. During the same period, he also became the official representative of Taxitronic in Cyprus, installing taxi meters. In 2018, he launched Taxify (later rebranded as Bolt) in Nicosia on behalf of the franchise that also managed operations in Malta. In 2022, the franchise was acquired by the parent company, fully integrating Cyprus into Bolt’s global operations. Since then, he has served as Country Manager (General Manager) of Bolt in Cyprus for Rides, and he also supports Bolt’s expansion in Greece, initially based in Athens. He is the father of two children, Sophia and Markos.