Larnaca school bus cancellations spark parental outrage

On September 22, 2026, students in the Larnaca district faced significant disruptions as the contracted transport company halted school bus services. The service interruption, which affected children in areas including Anafotia, was attributed by the provider to ongoing incidents of vandalism and delinquent behavior among students.

Parent representatives, including Loizos Konstantinou of the Confederation of Secondary Education Parents and Kostas Kostas, president of the Larnaca Federation, have condemned the decision to cancel routes. Parents reported that notification was sent late at night, leaving children aged 12 to 14 stranded at stops early in the morning without transportation. The organizers argue that the collective punishment of students for isolated incidents is unacceptable and are demanding an immediate solution, threatening dynamic protest measures such as road closures if the issue remains unresolved.

Education Minister Athena Michaelidou has also criticized the service suspension, stating that halting bus routes is not an appropriate solution. Discussions are scheduled today at the Ministry of Transport to address the standoff. Proposals for resolution include the installation of security cameras inside the buses to deter vandalism, a measure that parents claim should have already been implemented.