Buses will be running back to normal by Monday or Wednesday the latest, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades said on Thursday.
Speaking to CyBC in the morning, the minister said that the automatic fire extinguishing systems will be installed in the buses.
He added that by Friday afternoon, bus companies are expected to inform the ministry how many extinguishing systems they have received. The minister said that an agreement was also made with the companies to install the systems over the weekend.
Commenting on the certification procedure for buses to be allowed back on the road, he said that licensed professionals will conduct the checks, while a supervisory check will be conducted by the road transport department.
On the rest of the bus fleet, he said that it is made up of new buses that are in a good condition.
Speaking about the contract the ministry has with companies, the minister said an officer has been appointed to investigate the matter, but that on his part it was clear that the companies were required to install the automatic fire extinguishing systems.
On Tuesday, he said that a three-member committee of experts has been established to evaluate the various available systems which have been submitted to the government for potential use.
The committee also evaluated proposals submitted by bus companies, and on Wednesday Vafeades said that the committee approved most of the companies’ proposals.
“Yesterday the competent committee had reviewed and approved all four companies’ proposals. The good news is that they include equipment that can be brought in by plane, which means its arrival will be shorter, but the final news we’ll know by noon,” he said.
The impact of the bus withdrawals have been felt most strongly by schools with many buses not operating, inconveniencing thousands of students and their parents.
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