PNP promises better, safer school transport system

The Parliamentary Opposition is raising fresh concerns about the safety of the left-hand drive buses imported by the government under the rural school bus programme, while promising its own "safer" alternative.

Opposition Spokesman on Transport Mikael Phillips says reports of accidents involving the buses highlight the dangers of operating them on Jamaica's narrow rural roadways.

Mr Phillips notes that left-hand drive vehicles have never been approved for use in Jamaica's public transportation sector, and is questioning why the government has chosen to deploy them now.

PNP Plan

The opposition spokesman says a PNP administration will implement a modern, safe and properly regulated school transportation system; "one that puts students' lives, not politics, at the centre of every decision."

Under that plan, he says the People's National Party has "committed to moving 20 thousand students daily, with a fleet that meets the highest safety standards, is fully compliant with (Jamaica's) road regulations, and is built for our terrain, especially in rural communities."

Mr Phillips has also promised that a PNP government will only procure right-hand drive buses, "as required by law," and "partner with local transport operators to strengthen the industry, not sideline it."