761 school buses cleared for new school year, 40 barred after inspections

Nicosia, Cyprus. A total of 761 school buses have passed mandatory inspections and are ready to operate at the start of the new school year, while 40 that failed checks will not be used to transport pupils.

Inspection results

Road transport department (TOM) representative Giorgos Loukas told the House transport committee on Thursday that 442 buses had been inspected and approved by July, with a further 319 passing the necessary checks since August.

Around 600 buses are required to provide school transport services. Buses with pending inspections will not be included in the school transport fleet until they receive approval.

Safety and compliance checks

In addition to technical inspections, checks covered fire safety, driver permits and other required documentation.

Further unannounced inspections will be carried out in September, while ten supervisors will continue surprise checks throughout the school year.

Minister and committee comments

Following the meeting, Transport Minister Evie Tsolaki said she was pleased that representatives of the bodies involved were satisfied with the measures taken ahead of the resumption of school transport services.

On recommendations by the audit office concerning school bus safety, Tsolaki said the issues raised had been addressed through efforts by her predecessor Alexis Vafeades, the ministry and TOM.

House transport committee chairman and Elam MP Sotiris Ioannou said the 761 buses cleared for school routes had undergone more than formal inspections. He said they had received private inspections over the past three months, as well as state inspections during 2025 and 2026, and held the required documentation, including fire safety certificates.