Not every idea starts with big ambitions. Some begin with minor, everyday frustrations. For Anton Zorin, a product manager with a background in the IT sector and a passion for urban mobility, one frustratingly long wait at a bus stop under Cyprus’ blistering sun led to the creation of Cyprus Buses on Map, a real-time public transport tracker now used by hundreds of visitors every month, sometimes even daily.
Anton first arrived in Cyprus as a tourist while waiting for his German work permit to be processed. Out of curiosity, he applied for a few IT roles, and before long, he had accepted a job and was making Cyprus his family’s new home. However, his decision to stay wasn’t just about work. The island’s warm weather, the simplicity of family reunification (which would’ve taken almost a year in Germany), and attractive tax benefits made the move both logical and appealing.
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However, coming from Berlin, a city known for its efficient public transit and bike-friendly streets, Cyprus’ unreliable bus schedule made getting around without a personal vehicle difficult, to say the least. After arriving late to work on his second day, Anton decided to take matters into his own hands. Or rather, to his keyboard. Despite having no formal educational background in mapping or transport systems, he taught himself how to use open transport data to make public transit in Cyprus more predictable.
In this exclusive interview for The Future Media, Anton shares how one missed bus set off a chain of events that eventually led him to develop a public resource for locals and visitors of the island alike. He discusses the challenges of managing a side project, the role AI played in the development, and how one grateful user’s request for a “Donate” button showed him the real value of what he built.
Can you share a little about your background? Who was Anton Zorin before you moved to Cyprus?
I’m an IT specialist by profession (a Product Manager to be more specific), but my interests have always been in the fields of livable cities: urban planning, public transportation, pedestrian infrastructure, cycle infrastructure, public spaces, and so on.
What brought you to Cyprus, and what were your first impressions of the island-life?
I first came to Cyprus from Berlin, Germany, as a tourist while preparing my German work permit, which took around nine months. I was visiting my brother, who was living here. I spent around 3 months exploring the island, enjoying the nature, the sea, and the local cuisine. One evening over dinner, my brother and I talked about the IT job market in Cyprus. He said the IT market is tiny. The next day, I checked LinkedIn out of curiosity. I found a few interesting roles. A few months later, a company reached out, and after a quick call, I received a job offer just 15 minutes later. After thinking it over, I accepted and moved back to Cyprus.
The decision to stay in Cyprus over Germany came down to three main reasons. First, of course, is the weather. Just comparing Berlin’s cold and dark winters, while Cyprus offer sunshine and warmth almost all year round. The other reason was that the family reunification process was much simpler. In Germany, it would’ve taken me nearly a year to reunite with my family. The last reason was the tax benefits. The financial advantages in Cyprus made my compensation look much more attractive compared to what I would’ve earned after taxes in Germany.
The transition was interesting. Berlin has a variety of public transport options and tons of pedestrian-friendly streets and bike lanes. Life there moves faster there and the lifestyle is very different. Here in Cyprus, it’s siga-siga, all slow and relaxed. The Baltic Sea isn’t warm like the Mediterranean, so you rarely swim there.
The driving is different too. In Berlin, you can drive almost anywhere without feeling isolated. In Cyprus, it took me a while to adjust to driving on the left. The rules are similar but not the same. One big difference: at a T-junction, the road that ends always yields. In Germany and other countries that drive on the right, it’s the right-hand priority rule instead.
One thing really stood out. You need a car to do anything. In late July, when it hits 39°C, that makes sense. But in autumn, it becomes clear that heat isn’t the only reason that makes walking tough: there are no pedestrian traffic lights, sidewalks are blocked by parked cars, and even when they aren’t, they are too narrow to use.
Did you immediately notice the issues with public transport, or was it something you discovered over time?
My brother knew about my interest in urban mobility and that I notice things fast. So, he shared his and his colleagues’ experiences with the public transport system. At the same time, he told me about some open data that could be used to build something.
Was there a specific experience that made you not just think, “OK, this public transport system can be improved,” but actually take action?
On my second day of work, I waited at the bus station for what felt like forever. Eventually, I found out the bus had already left before I arrived —five minutes early. I was late for work and…not happy. That’s when I decided to act.
From seeing a problem to creating Cyprus Buses on Map, how did you even start? Did you have prior experience with mapping and public transport data?
I had no experience with geographical stuff or transport systems. Coding wasn’t my thing either, but I understood architectures, protocols, and other technical bits and bobs.
I first checked the open data source my brother shared with me, figured out the format, and started using ChatGPT to help with the project. AI tools weren’t as advanced in early 2024 as they are now, but they got me going.
For those who have never used it, what exactly is Cyprus Buses on Map, and how does it work?
First, open https://busonmap.com. The site will ask for permission to use your location. Once you allow it, it shows where you are on the map and the various buses’ positions in real-time. You can click on any bus to see its route as a line with all the stops. Alternatively, you can click on any bus stop to see all the routes that stop there and live bus arrival times.
Simple.
When you started, did you imagine Cyprus Buses on the Map would become something people rely on?
Initially, I built the site for myself. And I also used the opportunity to learn coding along the way. Of course, I hoped it might be useful for others too.
Later, when I saw people using it regularly, I took it more seriously. One evening, I was making improvements and accidentally broke the whole thing. I spent half the night fixing it because I didn’t want to let people down.
How did you attract users to the platform?
It all happened organically. I didn’t run any ads or paid promotions. I shared the app on Reddit and in one of the local Telegram groups, and soon people were starting to use it. Today, over 16,000 people have used it, some every day. According to the latest statistics (which can also be tracked through open data on the website), the app averages more than 2000 users monthly, from 500 to 1000 per week.
What about the infrastructure? Who covers the costs?
At the moment, I pay for everything myself. The costs are fairly low, thankfully. I did add a “Say Thanks” button to the app after one user asked how they could support the project. However, I haven’t actually withdrawn any of the donations yet. So for now, it’s just me keeping it going.
What have been the biggest obstacles in building and maintaining the map?
The biggest challenge overall has been the lack of time. I’m not a developer, and I’ve never built anything like this on my own. I spent two weekends on this and then released it. There’s still work to do, but I don’t want this to take away from spending time with my kids and my wife.
What’s next for Cyprus Buses on the Map? Are there any exciting new features or updates we can look forward to?
Right now, I’m thinking of developing a mobile app version of the site. Even though the version I have now has been mobile-friendly from the very beginning. But I’m not a developer, so it might take some time. I’ll have to learn as I go.
Another big goal I have is to add real-time bus route data directly into Google Maps and Apple Maps. I actually reached the testing phase with the Google Transit team, but eventually, they told me that bus companies usually upload the data themselves. They also mentioned that if I want to move forward, I would need to show official affiliation with the transport provider.
And that’s where things stopped. It’s been months without visible progress. Of course, getting support from the local bus companies, especially the company, Motion/Cyprus Public Transport, would be very helpful.
In general, I believe this is very important work. Buses play a critical role for students, tourists, and anyone without a car. One upgrade the bus system needs to think about is a cashless payment option. Not everyone carries cash in their pockets these days, and the system needs to make riding the bus more attractive and accessible.
