Blind students travelling from Larnaca and Famagusta districts to the School for the Blind in Nicosia are facing allegedly unsafe and unsuitable transport conditions, according to the president of the Pancyprian Organisation of the Blind.
Speaking to Radio Proto, Christakis Nicolaides described old, dirty buses that he said do not meet the needs of passengers with visual impairments. He also accused the relevant authorities of failing to respond to repeated complaints.
The organisation has sent a letter to the authorities, as well as to the School for the Blind’s board and management, calling for the situation to be addressed urgently.
Old buses and inadequate accessibility
Nicolaides said some of the buses used to transport students were outdated, despite newer vehicles being available.
He questioned why modern buses with appropriate accessibility features were not being used, saying that ramps should be available to help passengers board safely.
“Instead, they were putting bricks there to help them get on,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the condition of the vehicles’ interiors, claiming that some seats had no upholstery and that one female passenger had been left sitting on exposed seat frames. He described the buses as dirty.
According to Nicolaides, even a driver expressed serious concerns about the safety of the vehicle, telling him that he would not transport passengers with that bus again.
Students reportedly refuse to board
The alleged conditions have also affected attendance, with some students reportedly refusing to use the bus.
Nicolaides said that when he visited the previous week, only around half of the students were present, while the others had refused to board the vehicle.
He also described an incident in which a female student became frightened by the noise coming from the bus. Another blind passenger had to reassure her and explain what was happening, he said.
The organisation has also raised concerns about the absence of an escort to support passengers and help ensure their safety during the journey.
Organisation accuses authorities of inaction
Nicolaides criticised the response from the relevant services, saying that repeated attempts to raise the issue had not produced a satisfactory outcome.
“I sent a letter to the authorities, but there was no response. Only promises,” he said, adding that some services were not cooperating or agreeing to meet with the organisation.
The organisation is calling for the concerns to be addressed and for appropriate transport arrangements to be provided.
Calls for safe access to education
Nicolaides stressed that reliable and safe transport is essential to ensure blind students can attend the School for the Blind without disruption.
The allegations raise questions about vehicle maintenance, accessibility and the arrangements in place to support passengers with visual impairments.
The concerns have been raised publicly by the Pancyprian Organisation of the Blind. The account provided does not include a response from the relevant authorities or transport operators.
Also read: Buildings constructed illegally, permits obtained retrospectively
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
