KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican authorities have issued a critical deadline for parents to enroll their children in the national student transportation program as the country transitions to a fully cashless rural school bus system effective February 1, 2026. The government has confirmed that students without officially registered transportation cards will be denied bus access after the deadline.
Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Minister Daryl Vaz emphasized the administrative shift during a post-Cabinet media briefing, revealing that bus operators will completely cease accepting cash payments. The initiative guarantees subsidized travel at a fixed rate of J$50 per journey, representing substantial savings compared to standard transportation costs ranging from J$300-600 daily.
The program, which initially provided complimentary service since its September 2025 launch at the beginning of the academic year, now establishes a nominal fee structure while maintaining significant government subsidy. Minister Vaz highlighted the triple advantage of the electronic system: “It is both cost-effective for families, enhances safety protocols for student travelers, and improves operational convenience.”
Government officials have directed citizens to access registration portals through the Jamaica Urban Transport Company (JUTC) or the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information digital platforms. The minister additionally issued a social appeal to parliamentary representatives, local councilors, religious organizations, and public agencies to assist economically vulnerable students in obtaining their transportation cards.
Current operational data indicates robust system performance with 82 buses actively deployed across island-wide routes as of January 2026. The transport ministry reported consistent schedule adherence and uninterrupted service since implementation. Proactive measures include recruiting additional drivers to expand route coverage and preemptively address potential service gaps amid anticipated ridership increases.