Twenty-six bus drivers working for EMEL, Limassol’s bus operator, could lose their professional licences after traffic cameras recorded hundreds of offences, the company said. The issue has caused unrest among its drivers.
The company estimates the 26 drivers may exceed the 16-point limit that leads to loss of a professional licence, because of camera notices issued between 24 February 2024 and 31 May 2025. It said their position will become clear once the notices have been examined.
In all, 560 notices were issued over the period, involving 103 drivers. Fines total €137,840, and the penalty points add up to 1,409.
Of the 560, 432 were for running a red light and 126 for crossing the stop line. Only two were for speeding.
According to data Phileleftheros obtained from EMEL, more than half the notices (293) came from two Limassol junctions: 159 on 28 Oktovriou Avenue on the seafront and 134 on Amathountos Avenue.
EMEL said its buses pass camera points about 2,000 times a day. Route 30 covers eight of the 13 camera points on the company’s network. It runs 100 trips in each direction, with around 1,600 camera passes a day, and a driver on the route can pass a camera up to 64 times a day.
The company said drivers are sometimes forced to choose between braking sharply and running the light. According to EMEL, footage shows buses two to three metres from the lights, travelling at 15 to 20 km/h, when the signal turns from amber to red. Braking hard in a 12-metre, 20-tonne bus could cause passengers to fall and be injured, particularly those standing, it said.
EMEL spokesman Petros Theocharides told Phileleftheros the matter had already been discussed at the House transport committee, where the company submitted specific proposals.
These include:
- electronic countdown signs at traffic lights
- a longer amber phase before the signal turns red
- looking into technology that recognises buses and could extend the green light, where this is technically feasible and safe
The company is also asking for legislation that would raise the penalty-point limit for losing a professional licence. It said it was willing to help set up a team with Limassol innovation companies to develop and pilot solutions.
EMEL said the aim was to tackle the problem at the junctions with the most notices, reducing the risk of drivers losing their licences and keeping passengers safe.
