A 58-year-old bus driver was arrested on Sunday night and had his driving licence immediately suspended after being found to be driving under the influence of alcohol on the Nicosia–Limassol highway.

According to a press release, traffic police officers stopped the bus for a check at around 9pm.

The driver underwent a preliminary breath test, which showed a reading of 44μg%, significantly above the legal limit of 9μg%.

He was then taken to Pera Chorio police station for a final test but failed to provide a satisfactory sample.

Police said the driver was arrested, while his licence was confiscated and suspended on the spot.

After being formally charged in writing, he was released to be summoned before court at a later stage.

Earlier in March, Cyprus Public Transport, the operator responsible for bus services in the Nicosia and Larnaca districts announced that the Pame Express route linking the GSP Stadium park-and-ride facility with central Nicosia will be suspended due to a persistent shortage of bus drivers.

“The shortage of drivers is a nationwide problem, affecting our company as well as other operators,” the company said in a statement.