Nicosia, Cyprus. A shortage of bus drivers has forced the suspension of Nicosia’s park-and-ride Pame Express service, highlighting broader challenges in Cyprus’ public transport system. Cyprus already records the lowest public transport usage in the European Union.
Service suspension and scope
Cyprus Public Transport (CPT), the operator responsible for bus services in the Nicosia and Larnaca districts, said the Pame Express route linking the GSP Stadium park-and-ride facility with central Nicosia will be suspended from Monday, March 23. The company said the decision applies only to the Nicosia route, with other services continuing to operate.
Driver shortage cited by operator
CPT said the suspension followed months of efforts to maintain the service despite a lack of drivers. “The reason we are proceeding with the suspension of the service is none other than the lack of workforce,” CPT financial director Tryfonas Hadjichristos told CyBC radio. “The shortage of drivers is a nationwide problem, affecting our company as well as other operators.”
Role of the Pame Express route
The Pame Express service was intended as a fast park-and-ride connection to reduce congestion in central Nicosia by encouraging commuters to park at the GSP stadium and travel the final leg by bus.
Staffing and operations
According to CPT, the service depended on a small group of drivers assigned exclusively to the route. “Seven drivers were assigned specifically to the express service,” Hadjichristos said. He added that the seven drivers were running about 80 routes per day and that drivers from other lines were diverted to keep the service operating.
How will the suspension of the Pame Express service affect your commute in Nicosia?
