The $1.4 Billion Bus Controversy: Golding Demands High-Level Corruption Probe into Jamaica’s School Transport Deal.

By: Wayne Forbes /GTV Editor

February 24th, 2026

The $1.4 Billion Bus Controversy: Golding Demands High-Level Corruption Probe into Jamaica’s School Transport Deal

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The political landscape in Jamaica has been jolted by a high-stakes call for transparency as Opposition Leader Mark Golding formally requests a multi-agency investigation into the government’s controversial $1.4-billion procurement of 110 used school buses. Citing "apparent irregularities" and "suspicious aspects," Golding has signaled that the deal—initially intended to bolster the Rural School Bus Programme—may be marred by massive price inflation and procurement breaches.

The Call for Investigation

In a series of letters dispatched to the nation’s primary anti-corruption watchdogs, Golding has urged the Integrity Commission (IC), the Auditor General’s Department (AuGD), and the Major Organised Crime & Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) to launch a comprehensive probe.

While the Integrity Commission is legally bound to remain silent until a report is tabled in Parliament, MOCA has confirmed receipt of the complaint. Basil Jarrett, MOCA’s communications lead, stated that a "full and comprehensive evaluation" is currently underway to assess the "credibility, veracity, and substance" of the allegations brought forward by the Opposition.

The "Price Gap" and Financial Discrepancies

The crux of Golding’s argument lies in a startling disparity between the actual market value of the vehicles and the price paid by the Jamaican taxpayers.

According to Golding, invoices for a batch of 26 buses showed an average unit cost of approximately US$16,350 (J$2.6 million). However, the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport (MSETT) reported a total spend of J$1.4 billion for 110 buses—an average of J$12.7 million per bus.

"This means the Government has paid on average about J$10 million more per bus than the overseas supplier’s invoiced price," Golding noted. The Opposition is now demanding to know where that "surplus" of over $1 billion went and why such a significant markup was approved.

Questionable Suppliers and "New" Labels

Golding’s letters also cast doubt on the legitimacy of the companies involved in the transaction:

- ELHYDRO Limited: The local contractor awarded the deal via a "single-source" (non-competitive) method. Golding alleges the company is not an accredited motor vehicle dealer.

- Triarii Advisors LLC: The Chicago-based entity that supplied the buses to ELHYDRO. Despite being described by Minister Daryl Vaz as a "sole distributor," Golding pointed out that Triarii’s own website focuses on business consultation with no mention of transportation or automotive sales.

Furthermore, the investigation request highlights a potential "misrepresentation" of the fleet’s age. While some correspondence from the Jamaica Trade Board allegedly labeled the units as "new," VIN decoding reports suggest several buses are actually 14 to 15 years old. These vehicles reportedly bypassed mandatory pre-shipment inspections required for used imports.

Procurement Warnings and Future Outlook

The controversy is exacerbated by a prior warning from the Public Procurement Commission (PPC). Although the PPC technically endorsed the $1.4-billion deal last year, it issued a stern warning to the transport ministry against "handpicking" contractors. The commission explicitly stated that the ministry should avoid future direct awards and shift toward competitive bidding processes to ensure value for money.

In response to the growing scrutiny and the operational challenges of maintaining an older fleet, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz recently announced that the government intends to pivot. For the upcoming 2026/27 fiscal year, the administration plans to acquire 100 brand-new buses rather than continuing with used imports.

As MOCA continues its evaluation, the pressure remains on the government to provide a line-by-line accounting of the $1.4 billion expenditure. For the parents and students in rural Jamaica who rely on these buses to navigate difficult mountainous terrain, the outcome of this probe is not just a matter of politics, but a matter of safety and national integrity.