The Department of Public Works returns with clarifications on the issue of bus stop shelters, emphasizing in its announcement that all legal procedures for the tender in question have been followed.
Specifically, it refers to the stages of the process, the technical and financial parameters of the implementation of the project of new bus stop shelters, based on press reports and issues raised in the Parliamentary Committee on Transport on April 3, 2025. At the same time, the announcement notes that "the shelters that have been installed so far belong to the smallest type of the four options, while larger type shelters are planned for both urban and mountainous areas."
As explained, the Department of Public Works, following press publications on the issues of the new shelters, notes that it has submitted to the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Communications and Works on April 3, 2025 an analytical note, which explains in detail, among other things, the tender process and the course of its implementation.
Specifically, it is reported that after an open tender process, the design was assigned to the industrial design company in Cyprus, Demades Design Ltd, which took into account in the study the limitations in available space, the needs of serving all users, including the disabled, and the weather conditions of Cyprus. It is emphasized that within the framework of the contract and before the start of production, samples of the basic types of shelters were manufactured, based on the final design that was also agreed with the local authorities.
It is added that the tender was held in two stages. In the first stage, that of pre-selection, eleven economic operators showed interest, of which eight met the criteria, and who were invited to the second stage, that of submitting a technical and financial offer. Four offers were submitted there. The successful bidder submitted the lowest offer, amounting to €36.658.761,88 plus VAT, which was 4,74% higher than the Department's estimate (€35.000.000). The contract was awarded based on the legal procedures. It is noted that the documents and procedures have been approved by the Competent Public Procurement Authority of the General Accounting Office.
It is noted that based on the contract, orders have been placed for the construction and installation of approximately 400 shelters for the year 2024, and 700 for 2025. "A delay has been observed in the implementation of the shelters for the year 2024, however it is expected that by the end of 2025 these orders will be implemented in their entirety," it is noted.
It is also explained that there are four types of shelters available. The type placed at each point is decided on the basis of the number of users recorded through the passenger registration system on the buses, and on the basis of the available space.
It is noted that the shelters that have been installed so far belong to the smallest type of the four options, while larger types of shelters are planned for both urban and mountainous areas.
Regarding the design issue, it is noted that it has been done based on international specifications that are also used in Great Britain, while the design rationale was explained in detail to the Parliamentary Committee on Transport on 03 April 2025. Also, photographic material was presented showing that similar shelters are being implemented in many cities in Britain, e.g. London and Edinburgh.
The announcement notes that with regard to statements made that the contractor was allowed to make changes to the cross-sections of the shelter frame, the Department of Public Works points out that the contract provides for the submission and approval of a detailed construction study, prior to the production of the shelters. Therefore, the contractor re-submitted a static study, which has demonstrated the cross-section of the metal frame and the foundation. “The correctness of the static study has been checked by both an independent static study engineer and an engineer from the Department of Public Works,” it states.
It is added that regarding the reference made to the maintenance cost of the stops of €5 million provided for in the contract, it is noted that this cost concerns provision for the replacement and repair of any part of the shelters required beyond the contractual obligations of the contractor. Furthermore, for each component of the shelter, the replacement cost has been given at the tender stage, which binds the contractor for 5 years from the date of installation of the shelter. "Consequently, the maintenance cost is fully invoiced, from the tender stage, regardless of the work that may arise, and the unit prices are not subject to change," it is stated.
Finally, it is stated that the Department of Public Works wishes to assure that all legal procedures for the said tender have been followed.
Source: KYPE
