Four new buses, from an order of nine specially designed for people with disabilities, were delivered to the transport ministry on Tuesday.

The buses with lifting platforms have the capability of carrying four wheelchairs along with seated passengers, meaning they can carry 16 passengers in total.

During a ceremony in Nicosia, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades said two of the buses were assigned to meet the needs of secondary-school education.

The other two were headed for Liopetri to a school and an institution for people with special needs.

The four buses cost €363,321.

Three others were delivered in May to cater to the needs of the welfare department and another was received in August for use by the Evangelismos Special School.

The ninth bus from the same tender will be delivered in September 2025, the minister said.

The total cost for the nine buses amounts to €825,936 or some €91,000 per bus and is covered by the finance ministry budget.

“This action is part of our ongoing effort to promote accessibility, ensure equal access and enhance mobility for people with disabilities, as well as to further upgrade public transport,” Vafeades said.

He said that since 2018 a total of 19 such buses have been purchased for the needs of special schools and 14 for the social welfare services.

A further eight buses were purchased this year that will cost a total of €728,000.

“The provision of appropriate infrastructure for persons with disabilities is a priority for the government and is inextricably linked to the strategic policies implemented by our ministry to ensure equal access for all to public services and transport,” Vafeades said.