Student transportation crisis enters second week in Cyprus

A student transportation crisis has entered its second week as the UBP - DP Government fails to reach a resolution with transport workers. The ongoing strike, characterized by drivers refusing to operate vehicles, has resulted in significant traffic congestion and logistical challenges for parents and students at the start of the new academic year.

Transport organizations, including KAR-İŞ and the Cyprus Turkish Public Transport Union, state that the dispute is not merely about wage increases. Instead, they are demanding systemic reforms and legal protections. Key grievances include the need to regularize the status of hundreds of service vehicles operating without official permits, the immediate renewal of expired transportation licenses, and the inclusion of afternoon transport services in official contracts.

Despite previous assurances from the Ministry of Education regarding readiness for the school year, the lack of a concrete solution has left thousands of families affected by the disruption.