Students from Oberlin High School in St. Andrew board the rural school bus, which takes them from Lawrence Tavern to Glengoffe, St. Catherine (JIS photo)
KINGSTON, Jamaica —Students, parents and teachers from Lawrence Tavern in rural St Andrew, have welcomed the Government’s new rural school bus initiative, describing it as safe, reliable and a much-needed support for education.
Lawrence Tavern Primary School student Dainia Lewis, who rode on the bus on the first day of the school year on September 8, told JIS News that she immediately felt safe and comfortable.
She noted that she boards the bus in Lawrence Tavern square in the mornings and is dropped off at her home in Rose Hall after school, which she finds reassuring.
“Yes, it does take me right to my gate and in my opinion, that is very good,” Dainia said.
“The school bus is very amazing; I like the colour of it,” she added.
For seventh-grader at Oberlin High School, Ashaneke Edmondson, the new rural school bus system brings comfort and convenience.
“I like that we don’t have to [push] to get in the bus and there’s a lot of space there and the school bus take us right to our gates,” she told JIS News.
One of the buses in the rural school bus system (JIS photo)
Joshua Slater, who is in grade eight at Oberlin High, added that the bus is both efficient and enjoyable.
“It (the bus) comes early and the drive is smooth…it’s nice,” he said, adding that he prefers it to taxis because “when I take them [taxi] you get squeezed.”
Fellow grade-nine student, Kasey-Ann Matthie, said she feels more secure.
“I like the new school bus programme. It makes me feel safer than when I’m travelling by taxi. I also like the time schedule of the buses… the buses take me to my gate,” she told JIS News.
Other students welcomed the smooth journey.
Tajuana Hinds, who travels on the bus from Constant Spring to Oberlin High, shared that the ride is “enjoyable”, while Tyrese Daniels, who travels from Glengoffe in St Catherine to Lawrence Tavern Primary, added “It’s okay… you feel better, and you have more space… you’re going to be safe.”
Parents also believe the initiative is making a positive impact.
Lola Burke said the buses are helping families save money while providing a safer option.
“Well, I think… it will be better because we can save $100 or $200 in our pockets. So, it benefits us as parents,” she pointed out.
Above all, Burke is convinced the service makes sense.
“I think the kids are safer… than on the public passenger vehicles,” she affirmed.
Teacher at the Oberlin High School, Cleonie Smellie, told JIS News that the initiative will make a meaningful difference in schools.
“As a teacher, I believe the introduction of the rural school bus will bring significant benefits to our students and to the wider school community. By providing a reliable and structured transport, the initiative ensures that students arrive [to school] on time and are ready to learn,” she said.
Smellie noted that the buses also provide peace of mind.
“A dedicated school bus service reduces their exposure to traffic hazards, adverse weather, and potentially unsafe environments. Parents and teachers can feel reassured knowing that students are traveling in a safer manner and more supervised,” she told JIS News.
The rural school bus programme is helping to ease transportation challenges while boosting attendance, safety, and comfort for students, and providing added support for parents and schools.
All students can travel free of cost on the buses during September and October.
—JIS