**School Bus Fares Set at €5 Monthly or €30 Annually in Cyprus**
In a recent announcement, the Ministry of Transport in Cyprus has established new school bus fare rates for the upcoming academic year. Effective immediately, the monthly fare for children's school bus transportation will be set at €5, while the total cost for the entire school year will be €30. This initiative aims to make school transportation more affordable for families across the island.
The ministry also highlighted that certain groups of children will qualify for free bus transport. Specifically, children from large families, defined as those with five or more members, and children whose parents receive the guaranteed minimum income will be eligible for complimentary transportation to school. This measure is designed to alleviate financial burdens on families who may struggle with transportation costs.
To utilize the school bus services, children must obtain a personalised Motion bus card. This card is essential for boarding the buses, and to acquire it, students need to present either a certificate of attendance or a pupil identification card for the current school year. The Ministry of Transport has implemented this requirement to ensure that only eligible students benefit from the service.
In a bid to ensure a smooth transition into the new school year, the Ministry has announced that all school buses will operate free of charge during the first week of the academic year, up until September 11. This period will allow families time to secure the necessary Motion bus cards for their children. However, starting September 14, students without valid Motion bus cards will not be permitted to board the school buses.
The Ministry of Transport emphasized that these measures are part of a broader initiative to facilitate daily travel for pupils and to encourage increased usage of public transport among students. By making school transportation more accessible and affordable, the government aims to promote public transport as a viable option for families.
As the school year approaches, parents are encouraged to take advantage of the free bus service during the initial week and to ensure that their children obtain the required Motion bus cards promptly. This initiative is expected to not only ease the financial strain on families but also foster a culture of public transport use among younger generations.