Bus drivers threaten strike action over passenger attack

The Cyprus bus drivers’ union on Wednesday warned it may proceed with a work stoppage if protective measures are not implemented, in the wake of a serious assault on a bus driver in Nicosia on Sunday.

“I can’t tell you that action will be taken immediately. But at some point, if we aren’t heard, they will proceed with certain measures,” said Ompege-Sek leader Charalambos Avgousti.

He added that the union will formally request a meeting with all competent authorities to address the issue, while also convening its members to determine next steps.

Avgousti warned that strike action may be taken unless immediate measures are implemented, including the installation of protective booths on buses, emergency alert buttons, and surveillance cameras across the entire fleet.

“The drivers are also fed up, and I believe that in the coming days, we may take some measures – warning measures initially – and then, if we don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, I don’t know how we’ll proceed, because in fact, over the last two days since this issue came to light, the drivers have been in an uproar,” he said.

Avgousti said the suspect in Sunday’s attack has been identified through bus surveillance footage but has not yet been arrested, underlining that securing an arrest would send a crucial message to the public.

“The attack was serious; he had a bite wound on his head and a broken leg, but fortunately his life was not in danger,” he said.

He then went on to stress the need to relocate old bus stops, saying that bus drivers continuously received complaints if they do not stop at the former stops, saying that this was part of the reason why the assault on Sunday occurred even though it began over a different matter.

“Some people lack patience, and that creates problems,” he said.

According to Avgousti, there have been around a dozen serious incidents across all provinces over the past two years, yet companies still do not see the need to install protective booths.

The driver was attacked on a bus in Aglandjia on Sunday evening, resulting in injuries to his head and knee and was taken to hospital for further treatment.

He has since been discharged and remains on a one-month sick leave.