Filenews 19 January 2024 - by Fanis Makrides
The absolute illegality and arbitrariness that prevails with minibuses, which pass through areas not controlled by the Republic of Cyprus carrying tourists, is highlighted through an answer given by the Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeades to a parliamentary question.
Responding to a series of issues raised by Famagusta constituency MP, Nikos Georgiou, the competent Minister states that these buses operate in the areas controlled by the Republic without holding the necessary licenses provided by the current legislation for passenger transport vehicles.
The most important thing, however, is that the Minister's response also highlights the impossibility of implementing any deterrent measures for the phenomenon. It is indicative that, as Mr. Vafeades notes, there is currently no possibility for the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to take legal action against those who advertise these illegal tourist transport services through social networking sites and other electronic platforms. He notes, of course, that a relevant bill is being promoted by his Ministry.
More specifically, in the preamble to a question by DISY MP Nikos Georgiou, submitted last October, the following is noted: "Apart from the receipt of tourists from Larnaka airport by taxis and buses with Turkish Cypriot plates, there is a daily phenomenon of a number of mini-buses with Turkish Cypriot registration plates and covered "T" pick up tourists from hotels located in the free areas; They transport tourists staying in accommodation in the free areas of the occupied areas, as well as offering excursions and/or transportation to the free areas." He then sets out five points for a response to the Minister of Transport.
Mr. Alexis Vafeadis, after first explaining that "the passenger transport service, either by taxi or minibus, is allowed only to vehicles that hold a Road Use License (AOX) Taxi or License "E", respectively, and at the same time the driver holds a Professional Driver's License of Taxi or Bus category", adds that "Vehicles passing through the barricades from the areas not controlled by the Republic in the areas exercised by the Republic effective control are vehicles that are not registered with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and therefore do not hold either AOX taxis or "E" Licenses".
It also clarifies that "these vehicles pass through the barricades in the areas where the Republic exercises effective control as private vehicles and not as public vehicles of the taxi or bus category. This arrangement was made after the opening of the barricades by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose responsibilities include policy issues." He adds that since "they are not licensed by the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus and on the other hand they pass as private vehicles, they cannot be checked as public vehicles".
Then, referring to social media pages and platforms through which taxis of the occupied territories run campaigns, the competent Minister notes that "theexisting legal framework does not allow any legal measures to be taken against the operators of these platforms and/or pages". It refers, however, to "a relevant Bill, which is being promoted by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works and will be submitted to the House of Representatives within the next few days." It explains that it "provides that in case a private vehicle is advertised for taxi services, on social media or social media platforms, the authorities may be able to take legislative action."
The Minister concludes by replying to the MP's question "on the insurance coverage of co-passengers of Turkish Cypriot vehicles, as well as their passage to the free areas through the barricades of Pyla and Pergamon", expressing the position that this is a matter that does not fall within the competences of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works.
