The transport ministry on Monday supplied the Theoskepasti school in Paphos with a €244,000 school bus for the transportation of children with special needs.

The bus has a ramp that can be lowered for access and can carry up to eight people in wheelchairs and another 22 passengers in regular seats, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said as the bus was handed over.

According to Karousos, the bus will cover the needs of the school. It also has a second ramp for the faster evacuation of passengers in case of emergency, he added.

The finance ministry covered the total cost of the bus, amounting to €243,758.

Meanwhile the transport ministry will also equip the Cyprus Red Cross Society-Children Therapy Centre in Limassol with three small buses. Two of them will include a wheelchair ramp.

Another 30-seat bus will be given to a Nicosia school for children with special needs, Karousos added.

The ministry announced the preparation of a proposal for the purchase of electric buses for these schools in the future.

A programme is also in the works in collaboration with the labour ministry for the additional support of these schools as part of the approved budget.

“This will continue every year,” Karousos said.