The president of the Pancyprian Organisation of the Blind, Christakis Nikolaides, has made fresh allegations about the condition of the bus used to transport blind trainees to the School for the Blind, while rejecting claims that the issue has been resolved.
Speaking on Sigma TV's Mesimeri Kai Kati, Nikolaides referred to an incident in which seven blind passengers were forced to disembark in Aradippou after the vehicle suffered a mechanical failure.
He said the breakdown came as no surprise, claiming the same bus had been immobilised on three previous occasions.
According to Nikolaides, the vehicle experienced a gearbox malfunction while travelling from Nicosia to Larnaca, causing a sudden and violent jolt that alarmed passengers.
Passengers were reportedly told that an attempt to shift into fifth gear resulted in the vehicle entering first gear. However, Nikolaides claimed the bus has a longstanding clutch problem and had been taken for repairs multiple times without a lasting solution.
Allegations of serious safety issues
Nikolaides described what he said were significant safety and accessibility problems.
He alleged that the bus door does not open properly, requiring the driver to repeatedly exit the vehicle and attempt to open it manually before passengers can get off.
He further described the bus as old and dirty, claiming windows open by themselves while the vehicle is moving and that some have been secured with wire to keep them shut.
Particular concern was raised about boarding arrangements.
According to Nikolaides, the bus is too high and lacks suitable steps, forcing passengers at times to use a wooden crate to climb aboard.
He also claimed some seats contain exposed metal bars.
Nikolaides cited the case of a woman who stopped attending training programmes after using the bus once. According to him, she had arranged leave from work to participate in training but no longer felt able to travel on the vehicle.
He stressed the importance of education and training for blind people, noting that many still face significant digital literacy challenges.
Dispute with ministry account
During the programme, the presenter relayed information said to have come from an Education Ministry source indicating that the matter had been resolved through the use of another vehicle for affected adult trainees.
Nikolaides firmly rejected that account.
“These are falsehoods the ministry is telling to cover itself,” he said.
He claimed the organisation had been informed that efforts were under way to repair a different bus, which had previously suffered a serious engine fault, for use in transporting blind passengers.
Nikolaides also alleged that a similar situation occurred two years ago when a replacement vehicle provided following complaints proved, in his view, to be in even worse condition.
Complaint planned to European Commission
The association's president said repeated letters have been sent to the Education Ministry requesting replacement of the bus, without meaningful action.
He said a further letter was sent on Monday to the Education Minister, the Transport Ministry, the parliamentary committees on Education and Labour, and the Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights Protection.
According to Nikolaides, similar correspondence was sent last year but most recipients either failed to respond or did not resolve the issue.
He expressed concern that another old and unsuitable vehicle could again be assigned for the transport of blind passengers and questioned who is responsible for certifying the suitability of such vehicles.
Nikolaides revealed that the organisation is preparing a complaint to the European Commission, covering not only the latest incident but broader concerns over the suitability and safety of buses used to transport blind people.
