Rural school bus tested in North West Manchester

 

Two buses were tested on Thursday in Manchester North Western ahead of the rollout of the government's Rural School Bus Programme for the upcoming school year in September.

 

During the 3 hour 30 minutes test run, which started and ended at New Green in Mandeville, the buses traversed the nearby roundabout, downhill to Mile Gully, the narrow main road to Comfort Hall, as well as the winding hilly terrain through Topsham. 

 

Several commuters, including children and adults, were transported along the routes as part of the exercise. 

 

It also facilitated a demonstration of how wheelchair users are able to board and exit the bus.

 

Participant Anissa Allen, who is a grade 11 student at the Belair High School in Mandeville, welcomed the user-friendly transportation, amid what she said are a raft of challenges faced during commute.

 

"I found it very comfortable and I felt secure in it, like I won't fall or anything," said the student who thanked the Prime Minister for providing the bus service "that facilitates my disability".

 

"I'm so happy I will be able to attend school knowing that I have a permanent transportation where I feel more confident, comfortable and secure,"  she continued.

 

 

The opposition People's National Party had raised concerns about the roadworthiness of the buses and their capacity to navigate rural roads.

 

Member of Parliament for Manchester North Western Mikael Phillips, who was absent during the tour, said he was not made aware of the activity through an official channel. He described the tour as a Jamaica Labour Party campaign ploy.

 

"As Member of Parliament, I was only notified by residents that the buses were in the constituency. I expected that if it was going to be tested in North West Manchester, me still being the Member of Parliament, that I would at least be notified. My understanding is that even the sole high school or any of the primary schools within our constituency [were] never notified either. So in a sense, as I've been saying that this is really like a campaign theatrics that the government has embarked on."

 

The MP said some residents raised concern about the size of the buses and whether they were appropriate for the size of the roads in the constituency. He also claimed several residents encountered challenges manoeuvring the narrow roadways while passing the bus. 

 

Additionally, Mr. Phillips said there were concerns about the passenger capacity of the vehicle.