RIDE CONTINUED FROM E1 The buses, which were idling at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s Overseas Employment Centre at 110-114 East Street, Kingston, cost just over $57 million and were purchased from contributions collected by workers of the Overseas Employment Programme, 16,000 of whom went to Canada and the United States of America last year on the seasonal agriculture ‘farm work’ programme. Earlier this month, Minister of Labour and Social Security Karl Samuda charged the farm workers to care the vehicles. “As you leave, remember, these are your vehicles. Take good care of them. Ensure that no drink, knives, or other sharp implements are taken on to the buses and no one causes any damage to them.” For his part, Nelson was strict in directing the farm workers that not even the smallest of bags would be allowed inside the bus and should instead be stored inside their luggage, which was packed in the relevant compartment under the vehicle. The buses, which were built in China, were delivered last year and customised with all the creature comforts one could imagine, and Nelson was proud to share this information with Automotives. They were also decorated with signage that makes it very clear that they are the property of the Ministry of Labour and Social Services. Fitted with a Cummins engine, Nelson explained that his vehicle, like the other, has a full air-conditioning system in addition to a full fire-suppression system, an air-filtration system, an infotainment package, and a camera system. There are three screens, with the largest one at the forward section of the bus and the other two drop-down screens positioned in the centre and back of the vehicle. The screens will be used to loop information about the ministry’s ongoing programmes. “We also have an air-filtration system because of COVID-19, so we asked the manufacturer to add that system to mitigate against the spread of the virus. We had the option to tell them what we wanted, and they have delivered,” he proudly told Automotives. And speaking with Automotives the day after he had taken his passengers to the airport, Nelson said that his passengers were elated with their new ride. “They were comfortable,and the buses are a welcome addition to the fleet. These are fitted with a full air-ride suspension system, so you are actually riding on air bags compared to the traditional vehicle where you feel it every time you hit a bump or drive into a rut, but now we don’t feel those.” These buses, which are over 4 feet in length are a marked improvement to the fleet, which comprised two 2012 International school buses and a 1996 International school bus, and Nelson, who has been driving professionally since 1996, is enjoying the ride of his life. E2 THE SUNDAY GLEANER, MARCH 5 - 6, 2022 | AUTOMOTIVES Karl Samuda (second right) Minister of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) and Emina Tudakovic (center) High Commissioner from Canada to Jamaica, watch as farm workers who are deployed to work in Canada pack their luggage in the under carriage of the bus shortly after Minister Samuda was commissioned two new buses to transport workers in the Overseas Employment Programme at the MLSS office on East Street in Kingston on Thursday. Farm workers who are deployed to work in Canada prepare to embark the new buses that was commissioned to transport workers in the Overseas Employment Programme at the MLSS office on East Street in Kingston on Thursday. Karl Samuda (left) Minister of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), Emina Tudakovic (right) High Commissioner of Canada to jamaica,, as they tour one of the two new buses bought to transport workers going on the Overseas Employment Programme at the MLSS office on East Street in Kingston on Thursday.
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