Free ride cutback coming

GOVERNMENT is repeating its threat to make schoolchildren pay bus fare on Transport Board buses after 9 a.m.

It has come after sustained reports that a number of students were abusing the free bus fare system implemented by the Government during its first term.

But Minister of Transport and Works Michael Lashley said during a tour of the Fairchild Street bus terminal yesterday that Government was looking at a cut-off point for schoolchildren to travel for free. He said a paper, with concurrence of the Minister of Education, would be taken to Cabinet for approval.

“Once it is approved by Cabinet . . . quarter to nine, that would be the cut-off point for schoolchildren. After that . . . they would have to pay,” said Lashley, who was accompanied by Minister of Education Ronald Jones, general manager of the Transport Board, Sandra Forde, and other Government officials.