Member of Parliament (MP) for South West St Elizabeth, Floyd Green, welcomes plans by the government to introduce a Rural School Bus System and condemns attacks on the plans by the People’s National Party (PNP).

The Rural Bus System has come under attack from the PNP with South Manchester caretaker Peter Bunting saying he would not allow his children to travel in the buses and PNP president Mark Golding proposing that instead taxi-men who drive “probox and AD Wagon” be paid by the PNP to transport “di pickney dem.”

Green commented that he is shocked by the rhetoric from the PNP.

“As a rural MP, we have long lobbied for a Rural Bus System to come into operation. To be honest, one of the biggest challenges our children face in terms of access to education in rural Jamaica is transportation.  Therefore, I am truly surprised and astonished that the Rural Transportation System that is being introduced by the government is being so heavily politicised and attacked by the PNP.

“In fact, 30 years ago, we travelled on those buses to get to school, students of Munro and Hampton, and were it not for those buses, we would not be able to access education. Quite frankly, we would not be able to afford the cost to get to school. We saw how good the buses are in terms of accessing difficult terrain. If you know the terrain to get up to Munro, places include Chelsea Hill, Horse Shoe Corner, Santa Cruz, Malvern and Kinkaid. Those buses did well. Even in situations where they got hits, the students came out with no injuries. The buses are fit for purpose,” Green added.

The MP expressed shock at the rhetoric from the Opposition PNP, stating that they are willing to undermine any work of the government, regardless of the positive impact they may have.

“It is clear that the PNP is determined to tear down any project regardless of how well it will assist our people. It is clear the PNP is pursuing a vulgar drive to achieve political power at any cost,” Green said.