A proposal for the operation of rural transportation for students has been completed by the Transport Ministry and will be presented to Cabinet next Monday.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz made the announcement this afternoon, following the deaths of two students and the injury of three other people in a crash in Clarendon this morning.

The deceased are 12-year-old Richard Tulloch, of Turner’s District, Chapelton and 16-year-old Jody-Ann Lodge, of New Bowens District, both in Clarendon.

Their deaths bring the number of children killed in road crashes since the start of the year to 22.

Expressing sadness at the latest deaths, Mr. Vaz said his ministry is committed to strengthening the rural school bus program to ensure that students have access to safe, dependable transportation.

He noted that following the expansion of the Montego Metro Bus Service, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) commenced operations in St. Thomas today.

Mr. Vaz said that following his Cabinet presentation next Monday, he will outline further steps to be taken.

Mr. Vaz urged members of the public to refrain from sharing graphic images from this morning’s crash.

Meanwhile, the Transport Minister said he has asked the Transport Authority to provide a report following this morning’s deadly crash along the Bustamante Highway in Clarendon.

This comes after reports that one of the vehicles involved in the crash, which claimed the lives of two students, was being chased by a team from the Transport Authority.

Mr. Vaz reiterated that the Transport Authority has a no-chasing and no-blocking policy.

This means that teams from the Authority are not allowed to chase any vehicle.