**Title: More Than a Third of School Buses Fail State Inspections, Audit Office Reports**
A recent report by the Audit Office of Cyprus has revealed alarming statistics regarding the condition of school buses used for transporting students across the island. The report indicates that over one-third of the school buses inspected at public technical inspection centres, known as Kemo, were found to be unroadworthy. This is particularly concerning given that nearly 20% of these buses had recently passed inspections at private vehicle inspection centres, referred to as Ikteo.
The findings show that 35% of the buses examined at Kemo failed their inspections, highlighting significant discrepancies in vehicle safety standards. Among the buses that failed, 19% had previously received certificates from private inspection facilities, raising questions about the reliability of these private checks.
The failure rates varied significantly by district. Nicosia exhibited the lowest failure rate, which the Audit Office suggested could be due to better maintenance practices or more thorough preparation before inspections. In stark contrast, Famagusta recorded the highest failure rate at an alarming 76%. However, the report cautioned that this figure might not be fully representative due to the small number of buses inspected in that district. Both Larnaca and Paphos reported failure rates of 47%, while Limassol had a failure rate of 39%. These statistics underline the urgent need for enhanced oversight and corrective actions in the school transport sector.
Public passenger transport services in Cyprus are managed by six contractors, providing services across the island’s five districts and intercity routes. More than 600 buses are employed for school transport services, making ongoing monitoring and systematic technical inspections crucial for ensuring student safety. The report noted that several buses that initially failed inspections were subsequently repaired and passed follow-up checks by the Road Transport Department.
In the foreword of the report, Auditor-General Andreas Papaconstantinou emphasized the importance of safe transport for pupils, stating that it is not merely an administrative duty but a fundamental responsibility of the state, closely tied to the protection of human life and public interest. He expressed concern that the findings indicate systemic non-compliance rather than isolated incidents.
The report also highlighted that 53% of all school buses did not attend mandatory extraordinary inspections at Kemo centres by the deadline established by the transport ministry. Among the 47% of buses that did undergo inspections, 14% lacked valid Ikteo certificates issued within the required three-month timeframe. Limassol had the highest proportion of buses with outdated certificates at 22%, while Famagusta and Paphos reported 19% and 13%, respectively.
Particular alarm was raised regarding instances where buses previously deemed unfit continued to operate without valid roadworthiness certificates. Papaconstantinou criticized the selective or inadequate enforcement of regulations, which undermines the rule of law and fosters an environment where compliance becomes optional. He stressed that effective oversight requires not only the establishment of rules but also their strict enforcement, with immediate consequences for non-compliance.
In response to these findings, the Audit Office has called for immediate and coordinated corrective actions. Recommendations include stricter monitoring procedures and enhanced enforcement of legislation governing the technical condition of school transport vehicles. The report advocates for the introduction of meaningful sanctions against private inspection centres that fail to meet required standards and penalties for transport contractors who do not comply with ministry instructions regarding timely inspections.
Additionally, the Audit Office proposed that buses deemed unroadworthy should be immediately withdrawn from service and prohibited from returning until new certificates are issued. Contractors must inform the Road Transport Department and the relevant schools whenever unsuitable buses are replaced. Stricter penalties for operators using vehicles without valid certificates, including the potential suspension or termination of transport contracts, were also recommended.
The Audit Office emphasized the need for intensified inspections, particularly at the start of each school year, to ensure that buses with unresolved issues or lacking valid roadworthiness certificates are not permitted to continue operating. The report serves as a critical reminder of the importance of maintaining high safety standards in school transport services to protect the well-being of students across Cyprus.