Vaz: PNP Would Kill Rural School Bus Programme

Transport Minister, Daryl Vaz, has launched a staunch defense of the government’s rural school bus programme, dismissing the Opposition PNP’s criticisms as reckless and evil.

The Minister made issued the stinging rebuke while addressing a media briefing at his Trafalgar Road offices on Monday.

According to Vaz, the PNP’s history with the rural bus programme tells him they would abandon the programme if they were elected to office later this year.

Mahiri Stewart has that story.

The political battle lines are drawn over the government’s rural school bus programme.

On Tuesday, the Transport Minister went on the offensive.

According to him, his defense is of the right of children to have safe and reliable transportation.

He says the PNP must pay a political price.

High-ranking members in the Opposition PNP, Mark Golding and former national Security Minister, Senator Peter Bunting, have all heavily criticised the rural school bus programme.

Mr. Golding himself has described the 100 buses set to be used in September as old, while Senator Bunting told supporters the buses would “kill off poor people pickney dem.”

The Transport Minister Vaz says based on these statements, he believes the programme would cease to exist under a PNP administration.

Minister Vaz says his belief is based on the actions of previous PNP administrations.

Meanwhile, Minister Vaz has rejected the PNP’s attacks on the safety of the buses to be used in the rural school bus programme.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz.