Parents and guardians are being reminded to complete registration for the student transportation card before February 1, when the Rural School Bus programme will transition fully to a cashless system.
Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Daryl Vaz said students who do not have a valid transportation card will be denied access to rural school buses once the deadline takes effect. The announcement was made in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Under the programme, students using the card will pay a subsidised fare of $50 per trip. Since the initiative was introduced at the start of the 2025/26 academic year in September, students have been travelling at no cost.
Speaking at a recent post-Cabinet press briefing, Minister Vaz made it clear that cash payments will no longer be accepted by school bus drivers.
He explained that students without a card, or those who fail to top up their card, will be forced to return to the previous arrangement, where daily transportation costs ranged from $300 to $600 and students had to compete with adults for public transport.
According to the minister, obtaining the student card offers multiple benefits, including lower travel costs, increased safety for students, and greater convenience for families.
Parents and guardians are being encouraged to access the registration link through the official websites or social media pages of the Jamaica Urban Transport Company (JUTC) or the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.
Minister Vaz also called on members of parliament, councillors, churches, and other government bodies to assist students who may face challenges securing their cards, stressing that broad participation is necessary for the programme to operate efficiently.
Meanwhile, he reported that the Rural School Bus programme remains stable and continues to provide reliable service. As of January 2026, a total of 82 buses are fully deployed across rural routes islandwide.
He added that the buses are operating on schedule and without interruption, noting that additional drivers have been recruited to improve route coverage and reduce the likelihood of service disruptions.
Advertise with McKoy’s News!
🚀 Boost Your Business with McKoy’s News! 🚀
Let us help you grow your brand with our comprehensive advertising solutions:
Create Your Own Business Page:
Showcase your business with a personalized page on McKoy’s News. Highlight your products or services with multiple photos, contact information, and detailed descriptions.
Engaging Banner Ads:
Capture attention with visually stunning banner ads that promote your brand across our website, reaching a large audience with every click.
Dynamic Video Ads:
Tell your story with impactful video advertisements, designed to engage viewers and drive traffic to your business.
Feature Articles:
Gain credibility and visibility with feature articles on McKoy’s News. Share your success stories, latest offerings, and expert insights with our readers.
Ready to Elevate Your Business?
Contact us today and let McKoy’s News be your partner in success.