Poor engine maintenance caused recent bus fires in Paphos, according to a foreign expert’s report that prompted authorities to order immediate checks on the entire public transport fleet.
A Greek expert examined 14 buses across Paphos, Larnaca, and free Famagusta after two fires broke out in Paphos within a month, finding the same maintenance problems in all vehicles inspected, according to reliable philenews sources.
He recommended all 14 buses receive immediate maintenance according to manufacturer specifications.
Following the report, the road transport department immediately called in the remaining 50 buses of the same make and model for technical inspections at the state technical inspection centre.
Inspectors are also conducting roadside checks to boost public confidence in public transport.
On the minister’s instructions, the department will commission foreign experts to conduct preventive inspections of all roughly 1,400 buses operating state services.
The aim is to ensure maintenance meets the level specified in contracts, strengthening the reliability of the transport system.
The recent Paphos fire, the second in about a month, revived concerns that first emerged two years ago when a bus caught fire in Nicosia.
Measures taken then proved effective, as no serious bus fires occurred for roughly two years, but the new incidents alarmed the road transport department, which, on the transport minister’s instructions, called in an expert from Greece to inspect the vehicles and determine what caused the fires.
All three vehicles were the same make and model but different types. Part of the 2023 solution may have been withdrawing that type, which was suspected of having a mechanical design that could have been the source of the problem.
Withdrawing those vehicles in 2023 logically ruled out any connection to the 2025 incidents.
However, this contributed to the department’s concerns, prompting it to urgently recall the Greek expert after the second 2025 incident to determine whether the two recent fires shared common characteristics.
Sixty-four buses of the same type and model operate in Cyprus. Following instructions from the department after the second fire, the expert examined eight buses in Paphos and three each in Larnaca and free Famagusta, accompanied by department officials.
The department adopted his recommendation and ordered inspections of the remaining 50 buses operated by three companies.
Beyond tourist coaches, a fleet of roughly 1,400 buses currently operates state services. On the minister’s instructions, the department will commission a foreign expert to conduct preventive inspections of all buses and submit a report on each vehicle’s condition.
The inspections aim to ensure maintenance meets at least the level specified in contracts.
The department will also check all authorised inspection centres that examined the buses but failed to identify the obvious problem.
The electromechanical services department has already begun checking licensed mechanics’ activities and the tyre change register of licensed workshops to determine whether legislation is being applied.
These department actions aim to prevent incidents that could endanger the public, ensure legislation is implemented, and guarantee public safety.
