The cabinet today approved today a nationwide scheme offering free public transport to owners of vehicles subject to mandatory or voluntary recalls.
The initiative, implemented through personalised Motion travel cards, aims to support affected citizens’ mobility needs across Cyprus whilst their vehicles are immobilised.
Vehicle owners must visit public transport company sales points in person to obtain their Motion cards, presenting vehicle registration documents, immobilisation certificates for voluntary recalls, completed Motion card application forms, and identification documents.
The ministry confirmed that in cases where a family’s sole vehicle is immobilised, Motion cards may be issued to spouses and minor children upon presentation of family status certification from local community leaders.
Eligibility verification will be conducted on-site using lists published by the Road Transport Department, with cards issued immediately and at no cost. The cards will be deactivated once vehicles are returned to service following completion of recall procedures.
The scheme extends existing Motion card benefits for specific groups including soldiers, contract soldiers, public assistance recipients, wheelchair users, blind persons and their escorts, European Disability Card holders and their companions, students, low-income pensioners, and social welfare recipients.
The initiative forms part of broader government efforts to support citizens affected by vehicle recalls whilst ensuring continuous access to transportation services.
For additional information, affected owners are directed to contact their district’s public transport companies.
The Department of Road Transport launched an urgent recall campaign affecting approximately 82,000 vehicles with faulty Takata airbags and brakes, giving owners eight months to complete necessary repairs or face vehicle registration suspension.
The Takata airbag defect, caused by a chemical component that can deteriorate in hot conditions, risks explosive deployment that could project metal fragments into vehicle cabins, potentially causing serious injury to occupants.
It is estimated that at least 27 deaths and hundreds of injuries worldwide have been attributed to the defective Takata airbags.
In Cyprus, at least three deaths have been linked to the faulty Takata airbags.
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