Filenews 16 October 2025 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The successive incidents of delinquent behaviour on school buses are ringing a bell for the safety of student transport, with the state now moving from findings to decisions. Exemplary punishments for students involved in incidents of violence, damage to property and dangerous behavior were announced by the competent Ministers, after a broad meeting held today (15/10) at the Ministry of Transport.
The meeting was convened against the backdrop of five serious incidents that have recently been recorded on student bus routes throughout Cyprus and which in some cases forced transport companies to temporarily withdraw the operation of specific lines.
The most worrying incidents were found on five specific school routes, where drivers went so far as to declare an inability to drive safely due to the tension inside the vehicle.
Nicosia – Athienou Route – Kykkos B / Technical Schools
Serious safety issues were recorded with cut belts, stolen emergency hammer and material damage, which led to a briefing to the Ministry on October 6.
Larnaca – Route 115 (Pervolia/Kiti – Technical School)
Objects were thrown at the driver and damage, resulting in the placement of a guard by the company (September 5 update).
Limassol – Route B75 (Asgata – Technical School A')
Students insulted the driver, smoked, made a fuss and caused damage, according to the October 10 update.
Paphos – Route M12 (Technical School – Pegeia)
A picture of absolute anarchy is described, with smoking, insults and attempts at intimidation, according to the October 8 report.
Paphos – Route B19 (Polis – Paphos Technical School)
The students ostentatiously ignored the instructions of the inspectors, while smoking and verbal violence characterize the route (update September 24).
Although delinquent behaviours are also observed on other routes, mainly smoking and damage, however, no serious risk to driving safety has yet arisen.
Vafeadis: "Tolerance is over - There will be exemplary punishments"
The meeting under the Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeadis was also attended by the Minister of Education Athena Michaelidou, representatives of the Pancyprian Confederation of Parents of Secondary Education and representatives of the Police.
Mr. Vafeadis spoke of zero tolerance and announced the strengthening of controls and the placement of supervisors on "red" routes. At the same time, he stated that the parents of students who cause damage will be asked to pay the cost, which in some cases reaches particularly high levels. "It is unacceptable for students to be at risk. No parent wants their child in an enclosed space with smoke and noise. We cannot tolerate such images," he stressed.
Michailidou: Education in the spotlight: "Education is equally important"
The Minister of Education Athena Michailidou, for her part, sent a clear message of zero tolerance, underlining that the seriousness of the situation cannot leave anyone indifferent.
"Exemplary measures are needed immediately, but also information, not only for children, but also for their parents. We must act preventively," he noted.
The Minister announced that information and education actions will be promoted, along with punitive measures, in order to deal with the problem comprehensively.
Parents: "Tolerance is over"
The president of the Pancyprian Confederation of Secondary Education Parents, Loizos Constantinou, fully supported the tightening of the measures, stating that society must be responsible and consistent. "Safety is above all. No one has the right to endanger the lives of others. If necessary, the parents will pay the damages," he underlined.
The measures decided
In the context of the meeting, the following immediate and medium-term measures were decided:
● Increase supervision on routes with a history of delinquency
● Presence of escorts or security guards, where necessary
● Educational seminars and updates to schools on behavioural issues
● Clear recording and documentation of violations, with disciplinary consequences
● Financial burden on parents for damage caused to their children
