A passenger on the School for the Blind’s bus, which suffered a mechanical failure on Tuesday, was in serious danger, a bus that has been experiencing repeated problems, as reported by the brother of the person with a disability, Andreas Platonos, speaking on the Alpha Kalimera show.
“The bus that’s been in service this year—it’s been around for quite some time now—keeps breaking down and leaving them stranded on the road. And most importantly, the bus door won’t open—so if something serious happens, like a mechanical failure, an electrical failure, or the bus catches fire, the people inside will be like candles. The door won’t open, so the driver gets out of his seat, comes outside, and pushes on the door to open it. In other words, the situation is dire.”
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Mr. Platonos emphasizes the urgent need to replace the bus, while noting that an attendant is also needed due to the condition of some of the passengers on board.
“We urgently need another bus, and we also want an attendant. It’s not right—these people, who are blind and deaf—they can’t hear, they can’t speak. My sister, in particular, and another young woman are deaf and mute—meaning they can’t hear or speak—and they’re also blind.”
And he refers to Tuesday’s incident, when the bus broke down in the middle of the road on a boulevard in Aradippou…
“They got off the bus on their own, helping one another; there was no attendant, and my sister, thinking she had arrived at our house, tried to step into the street, and another blind person grabbed her to save her from the cars. So here we are—what can I say about Cyprus? We’re just following the events as they unfold. Something bad has to happen first, and then we’ll see what we’ll do.”
It’s deplorable that they’re passing the buck to one another; he’s calling on those in charge to take responsibility and find solutions before we mourn victims.
“We’ll become a global sensation. We’ll burn those people inside the bus.”
When asked about the incident that occurred two and a half weeks ago, Mr. Platonos emphasizes that such incidents are recurring.
“Almost every 5–6 days, there’s an incident involving this bus. I wonder, did this bus pass the MOT inspection? Who approved this bus? Who issued its license? They should tell us who this person is and punish them.”
Regarding the placement of bricks at the bus entrance, he explains that the steps are too high and no one is helping these people get on and off.
“We don’t know if they’ll come back,” says Mr. Platonos, visibly moved, noting that they are 1000% satisfied with the School for the Blind, which does great work and cares for their own people.
