National rural school bus service coming – Holness
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced the phased introduction of the National Rural School Bus System, starting September 2025.
“We will implement a dedicated school bus system for rural Jamaica to ensure equitable access, improved attendance, and enhanced safety while easing financial burdens on families,” Holness said Thursday.
He was making his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate.
He said the service will be rolled out in phases with phase one already underway with the Jamaica Urban Transit Company expanding services in Clarendon, Morant Bay, and Linstead, providing affordable transport for students.
He said the Montego Bay area will be boosted by the addition of 12 more 45-seater buses, bringing its fleet to 22 buses.
“Phase two will see 100 fully refurbished buses deployed across parishes, with 60 buses in September 2025 for the start of the new school year and another 40 by January 2026. This marks a transformative step in making school transportation safer, more reliable, and more affordable for Jamaica’s students,” Holness said.
