Serious complaints regarding the suitability and safety of the bus that transports blind students from the districts of Larnaca and Famagusta to the School for the Blind in Nicosia have beenby the Cyprus Organization of the Blind, which cites repeated problems and inaction on the part of the relevant authorities.
According to the Organization, approximately 25 blind students travel to the School for the Blind each week to attend training programs in various fields. They are transported in a small 20-seat bus, which picks up the students from their residences in the districts of Larnaca and Famagusta. The trip to and from Nicosia takes more than two hours each way.
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Police issued fines and towed vehicles overnight
As reported by the Cyprus Organization of the Blind, for more than two years now, students have been voicing strong complaints about the condition of the vehicle, highlighting issues concerning both their safety and its accessibility.
Among other things, they have cited mechanical problems, difficulties opening the door, windows that open suddenly during the ride, and worn-out seats—on some of which, according to the complaint, passengers are forced to sit on the metal frames. At the same time, the Organization reports that the bus is particularly dirty and expresses concern about the driver’s driving style.
Particularly serious is the incident that, according to the organization, occurred on a boulevard in Aradippou. While shifting gears, the bus reportedly jolted, and noises were heard coming from under the vehicle, causing passengers to fear for their safety and worry that the bus might overturn.
The seven blind passengers who remained on the bus were forced to get off in the middle of the road during rush hour when traffic was heavy. According to the complaint, the vehicle also carried passengers with both vision and hearing impairments, who were unaware of what had happened and wanted to get off, while their fellow passengers struggled to hold them back.
The passengers remained at the scene for quite some time until they were able to contact their relatives, who eventually came to pick them up. The Organization alleges that neither the transportation company nor the School for the Blind made arrangements to pick them up from that location.
The Pan-Cyprian Organization of the Blind maintains that, despite repeated appeals to the School for the Blind and the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, no measures have been taken to replace the vehicle with a suitable, safe, and accessible means of transportation.
“We strongly protest the Ministry’s continued refusal to replace this dangerous and unsuitable bus used by blind students to travel from the districts of Larnaca and Ammochostosto the School for the Blind in Nicosia,” the Organization states in a letter to the Ministry and other relevant authorities, noting that there has been no response.
At the same time, it speaks of a disregard for the rights and dignity of the blind, arguing that the situation that has arisen reduces them to second-class citizens.
The Organization warns, in fact, that if the Ministry continues to ignore its requests, students may be forced to discontinue their studies at the School for the Blind, thereby being deprived of their right to education and training.
In conclusion, the Pan-Cyprian Organization of the Blind calls for an immediate investigation into the serious issues concerning the transportation of students, emphasizing that, as it argues, the situation even puts their very lives at risk.
*Featured image from the archive.
