The Government’s rural school bus programme has transported thousands of students safely during its first year of operation, recording no deaths or serious injuries since its launch in September 2025, according to Transport Minister Daryl Vaz.

Providing a one-year update at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Vaz described the initiative as one of the Government’s most successful public transportation programmes, saying it has addressed longstanding concerns about affordability, accessibility and student safety in rural communities.

He said the programme now serves approximately 349 schools through 86 dedicated routes, with about 90 buses operating daily.