Kalymnos Times joined the test run from Town Hall to Kastelli and back — The mayor outlined the change in the vehicle’s intended use and the process of obtaining new registration plates.
The Municipality of Kalymnos’ new electric bus is expected to enter passenger service tomorrow, following a test run from Town Hall to Kastelli and back, with Kalymnos Times on board.
According to the driver, the trial went smoothly, with no problems reported, and the vehicle is due to begin serving passengers tomorrow.
Kalymnos Mayor Ioannis Mastrokoukos and Deputy Mayor for Finance Ioannis Theofilidis expressed their satisfaction and delight at completing the registration plate change, saying obstacles had to be overcome before the bus could be made available to the public.
Mr Mastrokoukos explained that the studies for the bus had been prepared by the previous municipal administration, led by Dimitris Diakomichalis. However, the original plan was to use the vehicle to transport municipal staff, a purpose requiring a different category of registration plates.
According to the mayor, the current administration decided to change the vehicle’s use so it could serve the public. This also required a corresponding change to its registration plates.
Mr Mastrokoukos said the municipality initially approached the relevant department of the Kalymnos regional administration, but the request was not approved because the original study did not provide for the proposed use. He added that the process was ultimately completed through Rhodes, following his intervention, and new plates were issued.
With its test run complete, the electric bus is now preparing to become part of passengers’ daily journeys, adding a more environmentally friendly option to municipal transport.
