The first shipment of buses for the Rural School Bus System has arrived in the island.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz says the shipment of 25 buses arrived on Saturday night.

More buses are expected to arrive between now and August for both the Rural School Bus System and the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC).

The Transport Minister says St. Ann will be allocated more buses under the Rural School Bus System than any other parish.

There will be 10 buses to serve 29 schools.

He says within three weeks, Jamaicans will be able to see the buses when they are being tested.

Consultations will be held with school officials and other stakeholders to determine the bus routes.

The first phase of the School Bus System will have 100 buses across the 14 parishes.

They will serve 258 schools out of a total of 850.

The first phase will allow for the transportation of 324,000 of the overall 650,000 students.

Mr. Vaz reiterates that what obtains now is a disgrace.

He commits to a full roll-out of the system in two years, if the JLP maintains power after the elections.

He was speaking at a party meeting in South East St. Ann last evening.

He noted that despite the Opposition’s lack of support for the Rural School Bus System, it is a reality.

Mr. Vaz added that the People’s National Party has not given a credible reason for not supporting the policy.