MINISTER of Transport and Mining, Mike Henry is calling for local stakeholders in Clarendon to support the implementation of a dedicated school bus system for students. Minister Henry’s call comes against the background of a public passenger vehicle crash along the Parnassus main road in Clarendon on Wednesday morning. Four of 21 students from the Garvey Maceo High School sustained serious injuries.

According to Minister Henry, while he is grateful that there were no fatalities, given the circumstances of the crash, the incident brings into sharp focus the need for a dedicated, well-established and monitored school bus system. This is to ensure that the nation’s children are transported to and from school in a safe and controlled environment. He says his ministry will be taking steps to restart the school bus system in Clarendon as a priority. However, he wants parents, guardians and the students themselves to support the system.

In September 2014, the Transport Authority and the Parish Council implemented a safe school bus system in May Pen. However, the program gradually deteriorated because of indiscipline among bus crews and the refusal of students to use the dedicated school buses.