**School Bus Safety at Forefront of New Transport Committee's Agenda**
The newly established transport committee of the Cypriot parliament will prioritize school bus safety in its upcoming meeting next week. This decision follows the recent release of an Audit Office report examining the school transport system, which highlighted significant safety concerns.
During the committee's inaugural meeting on Thursday, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades addressed various issues, including traffic congestion, speed camera implementation, Takata airbags, taxi licensing, and major road projects. However, it was the safety of school buses that took center stage.
Minister Vafeades informed the committee about inspections conducted on private vehicle inspection centers responsible for certifying school buses. The findings revealed that 35% of the buses inspected at public centers failed to meet safety standards. Alarmingly, 19% of those deemed unsuitable had previously received certification from private testing facilities. In response to these failures, the ministry has imposed penalties on non-compliant operators, and some cases have been referred to court.
The minister emphasized that the technical faults identified in the auditor-general’s report had already been recognized by the Transport Ministry. "Our work on road safety and student safety continues and is being intensified," Vafeades stated, acknowledging the serious issues that have arisen with the school bus system. He reassured the committee that corrective actions initiated by the ministry would continue to be implemented.
Traffic congestion, particularly in Limassol, was another critical topic discussed during the meeting. Vafeades pointed out that the addition of approximately 10,000 new vehicles to Cyprus' roads each year exacerbates the congestion problem. He noted that addressing this issue necessitates the development of new road infrastructure, a process that can be time-consuming. However, he expressed optimism that the ministry and parliament would collaborate on potential solutions.
The committee also reviewed plans to categorize and prioritize around 60 roads in Limassol that have been identified by local mayors as needing upgrades. Disy MP Charalambos Pazaros underscored the importance of improving the road network, arguing that inadequate infrastructure significantly impacts the daily lives of citizens. He also raised concerns about staff shortages at the Road Transport Department, which he claimed are causing delays and inconveniences for many members of the public.
Diko MP Giorgos Savvides echoed the sentiment of cooperation between the transport ministry and the committee, asserting that the publication of the Audit Office's report should not imply that the ministry was unaware of the issues affecting school buses. He noted that several deficiencies had already been identified, and corrective measures were in progress to ensure the safe operation of the school transport system by September. "Our children must be transported safely because this is an institution that has been successful," Savvides stated.
Additionally, Savvides called for the urgent advancement of the long-stalled Paphos–Polis Chrysochous road project, urging the government to provide a clear timeline for its commencement.
As the transport committee prepares to tackle these pressing issues, the focus on school bus safety reflects a growing commitment to ensuring the welfare of students and improving the overall transport infrastructure in Cyprus. The outcomes of these discussions and subsequent actions will be closely monitored by both the public and stakeholders in the transport sector.