KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government’s upcoming rural school bus service is gaining momentum, with more than half of its proposed routes undergoing live testing this week. This initiative, set to officially launch with the start of the academic year in September 2025, aims to address long-standing transportation gaps in remote communities across the island.
By end of day, 63 of the 122 designated routes will have been trialed—marking a major benchmark in the project’s phased rollout. Day Two of testing saw buses navigating varied terrain across Portland, St Mary, Westmoreland, and Clarendon, following earlier trials in Manchester, St James, rural St Andrew, and Hanover.
Transport Minister Daryl Vaz described the initial outcomes as encouraging, noting that most routes required only minor fine-tuning. One key operational challenge identified was the premature wear on current tyres during trials. In response, the Ministry has placed expedited orders for tyres better suited to Jamaica’s road conditions, with full replacements slated before the September activation.
While the existing tyres will remain in use for the duration of testing and retrofitting, officials remain confident in the integrity of the fleet and the pace of preparation.
The Ministry also confirmed that three categories of buses have been acquired, varying in size to accommodate route-specific demands. Each route will be matched with the optimal bus type based on data gathered during the ongoing evaluations.
Amid a swell of online commentary, Minister Vaz addressed concerns by doubling down on transparency, urging citizens to rely on verified updates from official government platforms.
As testing continues over the coming weeks, the Ministry maintains its focus: a smooth, reliable, and well-calibrated start to a service poised to transform access to education for students in Jamaica’s rural heartlands.
