Vandalised school bus routes in Nicosia and Larnaca resume
Two school bus routes suspended after vandalism are running again, with security guards, conductors and CCTV promised while talks on a long-term fix continue.
Two school bus routes in Nicosia and Larnaca that had been temporarily suspended after incidents of vandalism and the security problems that followed are running again as of Wednesday, as reported by Cyprus Mail. A meeting next week is to work towards permanent solutions.
“Phenomena of delinquency, vandalism and behaviour that risks safety on public transport cannot be tolerated,” the transport ministry said.
According to the ministry, intensive talks with the education ministry, the House transport committee, parents’ associations and Cyprus Public Transport led to Tuesday’s decision to reinstate the routes, answering the security concerns of drivers and students.
The agreement reached on Tuesday provides for security guards and/or conductors on certain routes, while parents’ association representatives will supervise the routes during the first days. The buses will be fitted with CCTV systems to discourage further incidents and record them if they occur.
On Monday, a meeting initiated by Transport Minister Evie Tsolaki will look in depth at the issues raised, with the education minister, the personal data protection commissioner, the chairman of the House transport committee, the federation of secondary education parents’ associations, bus companies and other parties taking part.
The confederation of secondary education parents’ associations will also meet the parents and guardians of the children involved to cooperate on averting any repeat. The ministry said there will be close cooperation with the police so that incidents are investigated immediately and handled on a personal level without disrupting a whole route. Damage to the vehicles is to be repaired immediately so the buses can return to full operation.
Earlier in September, a school bus route serving villages in the Larnaca district was suspended after vandalism and disorder left seats broken and damaged, with similar incidents in Nicosia. Parents’ associations had denounced the repeated cancellations, saying hundreds of students and their families were seriously inconvenienced. This was not the first time: in 2024 Cyprus Public Transport announced plans to cancel school buses on some routes in Larnaca and Nicosia because of continuous vandalism and unsustainable repair costs, and in 2025, after further incidents, the transport ministry said parents would be held accountable if their children showed delinquent behaviour on school buses.
What it means for residents
The routes are back, but the underlying problem has not gone away, so families using school buses should expect tighter supervision on board and a system that now singles out individual pupils rather than shutting a whole route.
- Check the routine. If your child uses these routes, confirm the pickup and drop-off times again, as the first days will run with added supervision on board.
- Know the new rules. CCTV, conductors and possible police involvement mean incidents on a bus can now lead to consequences for a specific pupil and their family.
- Expect more talks. Monday’s meeting should clarify whether the added measures stay in place beyond the first days or a longer-term arrangement is adopted.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
