Phase Two of Rural School Bus Programme Advances with 100 New Units
The rollout of Jamaica’s National Rural School Bus System is advancing into its second phase, with 100 new school buses set to be acquired during the 2026/27 fiscal year.
The update was disclosed by Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz, at a press conference held Tuesday (February 17) at the Ministry’s offices in New Kingston.
According to the Minister, procurement plans were revised following consultations with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, resulting in the adjustment of the original target from 150 units to 100.
“Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Melissa, I am pleased to indicate that the Ministry has already commenced phase two of the programme. Following discussions with the Ministry of Finance [and the Public Service], the [acquisition] has been adjusted to 100 units [down from 150]. The good news, however, is that these will be 100 brand-new school buses—marking a transition from previously used vehicles to new ones,” he stated.
He further noted that the fiscal pressures linked to Hurricane Melissa informed the Ministry of Finance’s request for a scaled-down acquisition.
“I can fully understand and support the Ministry of Finance’s position to ask for a reduction in the [number of buses being procured], based on all that we are facing [in relation to Hurricane] Melissa,” the Minister added.
Preparatory steps are now underway to engage the Public Investment Appraisal Branch (PIAB) within the Ministry of Finance, following discussions with Portfolio Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams.
“We will then be able to go to an international tender of those persons who met the criteria in the expression of interest,” he said.
The procurement process is expected to move forward through an international tender once approvals are secured.
Ongoing evaluation and enhancement of the rural school transportation initiative remain priorities for the Government, as it seeks to modernise and strengthen the system.
Ensuring that students in rural communities can travel to school in a safe and cost-effective manner continues to be the central objective of the programme.
Separately, plans were also announced for the acquisition of 100 additional new buses for the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) to serve commuters within the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR).
That final batch of 100 units, along with the third phase of the rural school bus system, is scheduled for procurement in the 2027/28 financial year.
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