Cyprus Public Transport suspends Pame Express service due to driver shortage

Cyprus Public Transport (CPT) has announced the suspension of the Pame Express bus service in Nicosia, effective March 23, 2026, citing an acute shortage of drivers. Financial director Tryfonas Hadjichristos stated that the company lacks sufficient staff to cover 80 daily routes and that prioritizing Pame Express forced the cancellation of other contractual routes. In 2025, the service recorded over 100,000 passengers, making it a critical part of local transit. The Ministry of Transport has officially rejected the suspension, labeling it a unilateral breach of contract. Andreas Nikiforou, Head of Public Passenger Transport, confirmed that the ministry has issued a letter demanding the reversal of the decision. Officials emphasized that recruitment is the sole responsibility of the contractor and that failure to comply could result in significant contractual penalties. The company suggests that easing hiring conditions, such as language requirements and age limits, is necessary to solve the labor shortage.