Nicosia public transport service audit

A report by the Cyprus Court of Audit identified systemic deficiencies in Nicosia’s public bus services, noting that the network fails to provide an efficient alternative to private vehicles. Using a ‘mystery shopper’ method involving 110 inspectors, the audit found unreliable schedules, poor frequency, and inadequate infrastructure. Specifically, 55% of bus stops lacked route information, and only 13% featured automated information systems. The study reported that 63% of surveyed passengers would not use the service again.

Cyprus Public Transport (CPT) responded by contesting the audit’s findings, arguing that the sample was not representative of regular commuters because the inspectors were Audit Office employees who mostly owned private vehicles. CPT stated that many identified issues have been addressed since the late 2025 assessment and attributed responsibility for infrastructure, such as ticketing systems and bus stops, to the Ministry of Transport. The company noted a 14.5% increase in passenger trips between January and August 2026 compared to the previous year.