Village residents in protest over school bus

RESIDENTS of Ayios Amvrosios village in the Limassol district yesterday caused traffic chaos when they blocked main Kantou to Platres road, protesting about a decision to cut down on buses carrying pupils to schools in Episkopi.

The blockade started at 6am and affected hundreds of drivers who were trying to get to work.

Police scrambled to the scene, though the protest continued until 8am and only ended after a transport department director promised to send an officer to the area to resolve the matter.

The problem emerged after bus owners decided to use only one bus, instead of two, for the transport of the village’s 16 pupils.

The owners said they were forced to do this after the government decided to cut their subsidies.

The move enraged residents who claimed it was dangerous since gymnasium pupils had to go to school one hour earlier so that lyceum pupils could be on time for their lessons.

Parents said the same happened on their return, with gymnasium pupils loitering the streets for two hours waiting for lyceum pupils to finish class.

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