First 25 buses arrive for Gov’t rural school transport programme

Twenty-five of 110 new school buses designated for rural students arrived at Kingston Wharves today, marking what Transport Minister Daryl Vaz described as “one of the most transformative policy initiatives ever taken by any Government since Independence.”

The delivery, part of the Government of Jamaica’s new Rural School Bus Programme, is aimed at improving transportation access for students attending 258 rural schools across all 14 parishes.

Vaz was joined by Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon and Finance Minister Fayval Williams to oversee the offloading and initial inspection of the buses, which form the first batch of a phased rollout scheduled to conclude in early July, a ministry statement said.

“A total of 25 buses arrived today. Another 36 buses are scheduled to depart New York on June 26, 2025, and arrive in Jamaica next week. On Friday, June 27, an additional 25 buses will leave from Miami, and on Friday, July 4, the final 23 buses will depart. This will complete the fleet of 110 buses—100 for active service and 10 reserved for contingencies,” said Minister Vaz.

The 110 buses, itted with modern safety features and designed to handle Jamaica’s terrain, will be distributed based on needs identified by the Ministry of Education. All units are expected to be in place for the September 2025 school term.

Students will pay a subsidised flat fee of $50 per trip, the ministry said.

“This is the proudest and most satisfying moment that I have had, firstly as a Jamaican, secondly as an MP of rural Jamaica, and a Minister,” said Vaz. “This initiative of bringing school buses to rural Jamaica to serve all 14 parishes in the first phase is one of the most transformative policy initiatives ever taken by any Government since Independence.”

Vaz said the initiative directly addresses the decades-old challenges of long, unreliable, and unsafe commutes faced by students in remote communities.

“What has obtained for decades is totally unacceptable and does not augur well for the future of Jamaica. Because if you don’t have educated children coming out of the school system, you have no future leaders to continue to lead this country in generations to come,” he said.

The Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport is leading the multi-agency initiative in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Finance, as well as the Jamaica Urban Transit Company.

The HEART/NSTA Trust, the country's main skills training body, will train all drivers, who will also undergo police background checks. A cashless system will be implemented, and teachers and parents will help monitor students’ safety.

Vaz defended the programme against critics, noting that opposition to such a transformational initiative is misplaced.

“And when I hear people speak against the programme - if in 2025 we can’t come together as a country and people to support what is good for Jamaica and our children - then I have a commitment that we are going to continue with our stakeholders as a joint-up Government,” he said.

The Opposition People's National Party has raised concerns about quality of the buses and maintenance regime in place to support the buses.

Bus Allocation Per Parish

Each parish will receive an allocation of buses as follows:

St. Andrew – 23 schools, 7 buses

St. Thomas – 10 schools, 7 buses

St. Mary – 11 schools, 7 buses

Portland – 5 schools, 7 buses

St. Ann – 29 schools, 10 buses

St. Elizabeth – 25 schools, 7 buses

St. Catherine – 36 schools, 10 buses

Clarendon – 32 schools, 9 buses

Trelawny – 22 schools, 5 buses

St. James – 17 schools, 8 buses

Hanover – 12 schools, 8 buses

Westmoreland – 11 schools, 8 buses

Manchester – 25 schools, 7 buses

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