Minority of bus drivers oppose public transport changes

THERE are differing views among bus drivers regarding the government’s plans to radically reform and upgrade public transport.

Drivers who disagree with the Communications Ministry’s plans yesterday held a peaceful demonstration outside the Presidential Palace, while those who are in favour of the change – the majority of drivers – refused to take part.

The main point of disagreement for those who are against the plan is the amount drivers will receive in compensation if they decide to leave the profession.

At 9am yesterday, bus drivers gathered under the guidance of their coordinator Spyros Georgiou and accompanied by the police, they headed to the Presidential Palace, where they held a peaceful protest.

The majority of drivers, however, agree with the proposed law for a radical reform of public transport, which will then be followed by a discussion with all involved bodies to determine the extent of compensation for those who decide to depart from the profession.

But there is another section that wants to know from now what the compensations will be.

The Communciations Minister, Nicos Nicolaides, said the ministry could not agree to demands for €100,000 in compensations and therefore discussions needed to be carried out to find the best possible solution.

But he added that there was general consent towards the government’s plans.

Motorists’ Federation (PEEA) publicly expressed its approval of the ministry’s plans. They said all urban bus drivers agree, apart from those from Nicosia who have not yet submitted their views, as well as all rural drivers, except those of two villages.

PEEA said that they represent around 90 per cent of bus drivers and announced that it wanted the bill to go to parliament for approval.

Nicolaides rejected claims that the drivers had not been sufficiently informed on the reforms, pointing out that the relevant plans had been sent to the drivers as well as their lawyers.

Everything, he said, had taken place with full transparency, and that it was impossible to determine the scale of the compensations from now. “Our aim above all is to serve the public’s best interests,” said the minister.

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