PNP Calls for Review of Rural School Bus Programme Amid Planned Fleet Expansion

Kingston, Jamaica – The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is urging the government to conduct a full operational review of the rural school bus programme following confirmation that 100 additional buses are to be purchased.

The programme, which was introduced in September last year with an initial fleet of 110 buses, was a key initiative of the Holness administration. The service operated free of cost until the end of January before transitioning to a cashless payment system earlier this month.

Transport Minister Robert Montague Vaz recently acknowledged that student participation under the new cashless arrangement has been lower than anticipated. Despite this, he indicated that the government intends to move ahead with plans to expand the fleet by acquiring 100 more buses.

Opposition Spokesman on Transport Mikael Phillips has raised concerns about the decision, noting that approximately $2 billion in public funds would be required for the additional units. In a statement issued Thursday, Phillips called for a formal policy update and a comprehensive assessment of the programme’s performance before any further expenditure is approved.

Current figures indicate that about 16,000 students are using the buses, while just over 8,000 have registered under the cashless system. Phillips described the uptake as disappointing and argued that adjustments should be considered before expanding the service.

The matter continues to generate debate as stakeholders assess the effectiveness and sustainability of the rural transportation initiative.