Bus purchased to transport Region 10 students yet to be delivered
A 30-seater Coaster bus valued at almost $16 million that was purchased by the Region Ten Regional Democratic Council (RDC) some four months ago is yet to be collected.
According to a Region Ten press release yesterday, this purchase was an effort to effectively address the transportation woes being encountered by several students from far-flung communities within Region Ten.
The bus was purchased from Beharry Automotive and according to Regional Executive Officer (REO), Orrin Gordon, was expected to have been in operation for the academic year of September 2018. However despite paying the company almost $16 million for a brand new bus, there is no sign of the vehicle, the release added. The matter has raised several concerns from councillors of the RDC and in particular from the REO.
At the RDC meeting on Thursday, Gordon vented his disappointment with what he has dubbed as ‘undue’ delay by the dealer, Beharry Automotive, noting that it has resulted in increased challenges for not only the students but the Education department, as they have been forced to seek alternative arrangements in ensuring that the students can be transported to and from their respective destinations.
The new bus was bought to transport students along the Coomacka to Linden route
“I am saying this that frankly I am disappointed with the manner in how Beharry has been handling this matter as we sought to purchase a new bus after the one that was donated to the Region by S. Jagmohan under the David G initiative quickly encountered grave difficulties and securing parts for that bus proved to be a major challenge. It was then decided that we should purchase a 30 seater bus after Mr Jagmohan informed us that he was unable to assist us in securing the spare parts,” the REO told the meeting.
He added, “We made the purchase at
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