Filenews 9 December 2021 - by Dora Christodoulou
It was one of the first buses to run in the Pafos district since 1955. Today, the vehicle number TM 69, remains immobilized and with the passage of time evident in its bodywork, in the community of Episkopi Pafos, located 12 km north of the city of Pafos.
The publication of its history by "F" a few months ago, contributed to it being the subject of a search by excursionists in the area who are looking for traces of a bygone era and a Cyprus that no longer exists. This is reported by residents of the community, who more and more often this summer, as they point out, were receiving questions from Cypriot excursionists and visitors about this particular bus.
As "F" had first written, the love of the owner of this vehicle offered him a roof, so that it could continue to exist as a monument of other eras and as a reminder of family and personal moments for him.
The owner of the bus is today Georgios Michaelides, son of the then driver of the vehicle. Talking to us about the issue, Mr. Michaelides explains that this old bus made routes from Episkopi to the city of Paphos, but also to other destinations for the transportation of workers.
"It transported workers from the villages of the region, Episkopi, Armos, Marathounta and other villages", he stressed, "to the city of Pafos, the old Estate, but also to Limassol where there were jobs. It has been operating since 1955.
This bus has its own story with my father as a "driver". That's why, on my own initiative and that of my brother, this shelter was constructed to protect the old hull.
It's a little late of course, but even now with a little bit of protection and maintenance we tried not to lose the memories."
I am pleased when I go to the village to see it and reminisce about the old days, concludes Georgios Michaelides.
