Rural School Bus Programme Will Promote Discipline, Positive Values, Says PM Holness

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Prime Minister Andrew Holness has praised the Government’s Rural School Bus Programme as a transformative step in Jamaican education and transportation, emphasizing not only its logistical benefits but also its potential to reinforce discipline and social values among students.

Speaking at the Pedro Plains Irrigation Expansion Project launch in Short Hill, St Elizabeth, Holness described the new initiative as more than just a transportation upgrade.

“It’s one thing to talk about the economics, but it’s another thing to talk about the defence of the mores of the society — the morality and values that are constantly under assault with our children in public passenger transport,” he said. “That is invaluable; you can’t put a price on that.”

What the Programme Includes

The Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is leading the implementation of this groundbreaking initiative. Here are the key elements:

  • 110 school buses will be deployed across 100 routes, reaching 258 rural schools and serving an estimated 328,000 students.

  • The bus fleet consists of 32-seat, 54-seat, and 72-seat vehicles, with 10 kept in reserve.

  • Each student will pay a flat fare of $50 per trip, potentially saving families up to $180,000 annually.

The first 25 buses arrived in June, and the remainder are expected before the September school term.

Safety and Modernisation at the Forefront

The buses, manufactured in the United States, are being retrofitted with left-hand-side passenger doors for safe entry and exit. Installation is underway at the JUTC depot in St Andrew, with teams like Dameon Simpson, Julian Spencer, and Hopeton Peterkin leading the efforts.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has confirmed that all units meet international safety standards, and the Government has committed to scaling the programme to 300 buses in the next two years to cover all 850 rural schools islandwide.

Each bus will be:

  • Linked to a designated school, responsible for hiring drivers and maintenance.

  • Equipped with telematics, including real-time GPS tracking, maintenance alerts, and ridership reports.

  • Governed by speed limiters for child safety.

  • Part of a cashless payment system that integrates with PATH subsidies for eligible students.

  • Accessible via a parent monitoring app to track student safety.

Our Opinion

The Rural School Bus Programme isn't just an infrastructure win — it’s a social intervention. In a society grappling with rising indiscipline and safety concerns, separating students from the chaos of public transport can reinforce structure, dignity, and focus. The inclusion of modern features like telematics and parental tracking shows a Government willing to match 21st-century challenges with 21st-century solutions. The flat fare also balances access and affordability, while the link to PATH reflects smart targeting of support where it’s needed most.




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