Vaz: Tyre and other issues with rural school buses being addressed

Minister of Transport Daryl Vaz says the first day of route testing for the rural school bus system on Monday revealed a “few tyre issues,” which his ministry has taken steps to resolve to ensure a smooth rollout next month.

“We have already placed orders for the shipment of new tyres to replace the existing ones on all buses prior to September morning. Until then, the existing tyres will be used this week as we complete retrofitting of the buses and the testing of the remaining routes,” said Vaz in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

He said the new tyres will be suitable for Jamaica’s road conditions.

Vaz indicated that 30 routes were tested across Manchester, rural St Andrew, St James, and Hanover.

Further testing will be conducted today in Portland, St Mary, Westmoreland, and Clarendon.

The Transport Minister noted that 63 of the 122 routes will be tested by the end of today.

“The lessons learned from this week’s activities will be implemented to ensure a smooth and seamless launch next month,” he said.

The buses, the minister noted previously, will address the inconvenience and danger faced by students, the high transportation costs faced by parents, reduce absenteeism, and ultimately improve academic performance.

In Phase 1 of the initiative, 100 buses will be deployed to cover 258 schools across Jamaica, with an additional 10 reserved for contingencies.

Students will be charged a flat fare of $50.

Vaz also reiterated that the government has purchased buses of three different sizes and will ensure that the size best suited for each route is deployed following the route testing exercise.

His statements follow the circulation of videos and images on social media showing buses breaking down, with some experiencing tyre issues.

“Please do not be disheartened or distracted by fake and disingenuous posts which started yesterday, as this minister will remain fully transparent and accountable to the Jamaican people,” he said.

The Opposition People’s National Party has been very vocal in its criticism of the rural school bus system, expressing concern about the age of the buses, while maintaining that they are unsuitable for Jamaica’s hilly terrain and pose a safety risk to students and pedestrians.

- Sashana Small

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