More school children on Transport Board buses after fare increase

On their first day back after the Hilary Term Holiday, school children in the north of the island rushed to the catch Transport Board buses early this morning to get to school.

Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators said school children would have to pay the same increased bus fare of $3.50 as adults. In the past, they were allowed to pay a reduced fare.

They travel free on board the Government-operated Transport Board buses.

The Transport Board buses heading to Bridgetown, St Michael and Oistins, Christ Church left the terminal at Speightstown, St Peter packed to capacity with school children and a few adults. 

The school buses heading to Daryll Jordan Secondary in St Lucy were also overflowing with children, some of whom had to wait on another bus. 

Standing room only on this bus heading to Daryll Jordan Secondary School in St Lucy.

PSV operators said things were slow for them this morning and they had only completed two full trips between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. 

One driver said he didn’t expect things to pick up although there weren’t enough Transport Board buses to carry all the children.

This is the second day since bus fares were increased from $2, and yesterday, many adults said school children should be made to pay since they did so on the route taxis. (DB)

Some school children still preferred to travel via route taxi.