Bus service restarts after minister intervenes

BUS services returned to normal yesterday after Nicosia and Limassol drivers ended their strike following the mediation of Communications Minister Efthimios Flourentzos.
Drivers went on strike last week over the companies’ failure to pay their wages. Companies said they had cash flow problems because the government had not transferred the agreed funds.
Tasos Michaelides, director of Nicosia bus company OSEL, said drivers returned to work at 11.45 following a proposal tabled by Flourentzos.
Despite the agreement, Michaelides said his company will go to court in a bid to resolve an outstanding dispute over the amount of rent paid for the buses.
The two sides agreed that the government would provide the company with a letter that it would use to secure cash from a bank.
“If the bank gives us this money we will be able to pay the December and 13th salaries and cover other obligations we have,” Michaelides said.
A similar arrangement was made with Limassol public transport company EMEL.
“We did not get the maximum, but it is enough for the company to be viable,” EMEL director Giorgos Kyriacou said.