“These are brand new buses from Korea,” says Skeras Ucherrengos, MOE Transportation Manager. “We will use the brand new buses to transport students from Babeldaob, Ngarchelong, Ngaraard Ngardman, Ngatpang and Airai to Koror.”
In a previous interview with Sinton Soalablai, MOE Chief of School Management, he said the old buses broke down on Sept. 11 and 15 due to brakes and engine problems, and they don’t have enough funds to have them repaired. As a result, there are days that they are only able to pick up 38 out of 108 students from Airai. And most of the time the bus is crowded and students have no choice but to stand during the long trips.
Currently, the students within Koror and Malakal have no option but to walk or have their parents pick them up from school. “Right now there is no transportation available for students from Malakal since we are giving priority to the students who live far,” explains Ucherrengos. But once the new buses arrive in January, the 29-seater will be assigned to service the students within Koror and Malakal area.
The two 65-seater buses will be assigned to Babeldaob and Airai. “There will be three trips to and from Babeldaob to accommodate the 143 students, and two trips to Airai to pick up the 108 students,” he adds. “That should be enough. One is going to service the East Coast and one the West Coast.”
He says the buses will be scheduled to pick up students in Ngarchelong at 6:00 am, drop the students in school at approximately 7:05, go to Airai and expected to be back at around 7:20.
After classes, the buses will likewise take the students back to their respective homes.
Meanwhile, the two 17-year old broken buses that have become a semi-permanent fixture in front of MOE are considered to be beyond repair.
