Seventy rehabilitated buses, that are aged between 12 and 15 years, are not holding up as expected. 

That is the explanation offered by Transport Minister, Daryl Vaz, as he sought to clarify the shortfall in the number of Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses deployed for the start of the school year this week. 

Last week the minister announced that 315 buses would have been rolled out, but on Monday, only 236 were available, out of a new projection of 285. 

Mr Vaz, who was addressing a Post-Cabinet press briefing this morning, said some of the buses which were repaired, and ready for the road, were returned to the depots for more repairs. 

He said steps are being taken to deal with the situation. 

Mr Vaz also sought to rubbish claims that his ministry was under-reporting the rollout of the buses.