KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesperson on Transport and Mining Mikael Phillips is renewing calls for Transport Minister Daryl Vaz to provide an update on the Government’s maintenance arrangements for the 100 rural school buses supplied by El Hydro Limited, as the new school year approaches.

Phillips said the minister must explain whether the buses are properly serviced and ready to transport students when schools reopen in September.

In a statement on Thursday, the Opposition spokesperson recalled that he requested a maintenance report from Minister Vaz on July 30, 2026, following a fire involving one of the buses in Manchester. He said “poor servicing” was a probable cause, but noted that the minister has not provided an update to the public.