On the occasion of the publication of the Memorandum of the Auditor General of the Republic on the safety of school buses, the Department of Road Transport informs that the technical issues recorded had already been identified in the context of the extraordinary sample checks carried out by the Department at the Motor Vehicle Control Centers (KEMO).
The Memorandum confirms the importance of these additional controls, as well as the need to continue and strengthen supervision measures in view of the new school year.
Additional technical inspections on school buses
As part of the continuous supervision of the student service, extraordinary sample technical inspections of school buses were carried out at the KEMO of the Department of Road Transport.
These inspections were implemented as an additional preventive measure, in addition to the obligation provided by law for a technical inspection at the Private Vehicle Technical Inspection Centers (IKTEO).
Through the process, vehicles with technical issues were identified, which had not been found during the previous inspection at the IKTEO. These vehicles, depending on the case, were either repaired and returned to service, or permanently withdrawn from the fleet of the student service.
It is noted that, by directive of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, the buses used for the execution of the student service must, in recent years, have passed a technical inspection within a period of three months before the start of the school year, in addition to the provisions of the relevant legislation.
Corrective actions and compliance measures
The Department of Road Transport has taken a series of actions to ensure the compliance of the contractors with the instructions given for the timely arrival of vehicles at KEMO. In cases of non-compliance, the prescribed contractual penalties were imposed.
In relation to cases of vehicles that had been approved by IKTEO and were subsequently deemed unsuitable during the inspection at KEMO, an investigation process has already begun. Where a violation is documented, the provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Technical Inspection and Technical Inspection Centers) Law, Law 1(I)/2007, apply, for the imposition of the prescribed sanctions.
At the same time, a repetitive training of the IKTEO officers in the line of technical inspection of heavy vehicles is planned.
For the cases of school buses found in the Province of Famagusta being used without a valid certificate of suitability, investigative files have been prepared and forwarded to the Police for further action.
At the same time, strict recommendations have been made to the contractors to check the fleet used for the student service and fines have been imposed, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Concession Agreements.
Continuation and strengthening of supervision
By the end of the 2025-2026 school year, 70% of the student service fleet has been inspected at KEMO.
In view of the new school year, the Department of Road Transport, taking into account the findings of the additional audits, as well as the recommendations of the Audit Office, has given instructions to all stakeholders for strict compliance with safety rules.
The safety of students remains a key priority. The Department of Road Transport continues the controls, the implementation of contractual and legislative provisions and the strengthening of the procedures for the supervision of the student service.
