A total of 761 buses have passed the required inspections and are ready to operate school routes at the start of the new school year, while 40 vehicles failed the inspections and will not be used to transport students, as reported Thursday to the Parliamentary Committee on Transportation.
According to data presented to the Committee by the representative of the Road Transport Department (TOM), George Louka, 442 buses had been inspected and approved by July, while another 319 have passed inspection from August to the present, bringing the total number to 761.
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The need for student transportation amounts to approximately 600 buses island-wide, a fact which, according to TOM, ensures sufficient availability. Buses awaiting inspection will not be included in the school transportation fleet until they receive the required approval.
The Minister of Transport, Communications, and Public Works, Evi Tsolaki, stated after the meeting that she was pleased to note that representatives of the relevant stakeholders expressed satisfaction with the measures taken in preparation for the operation of the school transportation service.
Referring to the Audit Office’s recommendations regarding issues related to the safety of school buses, she said that these had been addressed, citing the efforts of her predecessor, Alexis Vafeadis, as well as those of the Ministry and the Department of Road Transport.
Ms. Tsolaki also thanked the bus companies for their efforts, expressing her confidence that the new school year will begin with school buses available to students. She added that the Ministry stands ready to address any problems that may arise.
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The Chairman of the Transportation Committee, ELAM MP Sotiris Ioannou, stated that the 761 buses ready to operate school routes have not merely undergone routine inspections.
As he said, they have undergone private inspections over the past three months, as well as government inspections during the 2025–2026 period, and they possess the necessary certifications, including fire safety certifications.
Mr. Ioannou stated that, following pressure exerted by the Committee and the work carried out by the Ministry and the companies, there are now answers for parents and the public regarding an issue that had caused them great concern in recent months. He added that the implementation of these measures in the coming days and weeks will be the ultimate test of readiness.
DISY MP Giorgos Karaiskakis stated that the Committee had received assurances that no bus that does not meet all safety standards would transport students. He also noted that the submission of the necessary documents by the companies—such as MOT certificates, fire safety permits, and other required documents—is expected to be completed.
AKEL MP Valentinos Fakontis stated that the discussion took place in light of the weaknesses and omissions highlighted in a report by the Auditor General. He emphasized that the goal must remain the safe transportation of students on all routes, while also noting the need for students to show respect toward drivers and school buses.
Within the Committee, the TOM representative noted that the inspections include, in addition to technical inspections, fire safety issues, checks regarding drivers, vehicle registration, and other required information.
At the same time, unannounced inspections of school buses will be conducted in September, while ten inspectors will continue to carry out surprise inspections throughout the school year.
At the meeting, representatives of bus companies from the districts of Nicosia, Famagusta, Larnaca, and Limassol expressed their readiness for the start of the new school year, noting that intensive efforts were made to complete the inspections during August.
The President of the Association of Tourist Bus Owners, Pambos Kapnos, stated that the 40 companies involved in the school bus service are ready to begin transporting students.
He raised, however, the issue of student misconduct on buses, citing incidents of property damage, removal of safety equipment, and injury to a driver. He warned that more effective measures are needed to address the problem.
On behalf of the Pan-Cyprian Confederation of Parents’ Associations of Public Secondary Schools, President Loizos Konstantinou stated that of the approximately 25,000 students who travel by school bus, rule-breakers make up a small percentage.
He proposed identifying students who cause problems—through the use of cameras or supervisors, among other means—as well as enforcing measures, including holding parents liable for damages.
Student representative Despoina Kyprianou raised the issue of passenger numbers on certain buses, citing the example of a 32-seat vehicle which, she said, was carrying a much larger number of students.
The TOM representative explained that some buses are licensed to carry both seated and standing passengers, clarifying that these are used for specific routes within cities, while buses with seats for all passengers are used for longer distances.
The measure of assigning security guards to buses was also discussed; this was implemented in two instances in Larnaca and one in Nicosia, with TOM reporting that the results were not as expected.
Source: CNA
