Blue Liner rides along after 42 years

Shanique Samuels, Gleaner Writer

The Blue Liner school bus system has been operating between Clarendon's south coast all the way up north for over 42 years. The bus, which is privately owned, runs daily from Lionel Town and adjoining communities to Clarendon College, all the way in Chapelton.

The 50-seater Hino bus sometimes transports up to 70 students to and from school - picking up and dropping off along the way.

Owner and operator Lloyd Mears took over from his now deceased father, Lloyd Mears Sr, more than 30 years ago and has remained faithful to Clarendon College ever since. He told Rural Xpress that in 1972, his father, who was the chairman of the school board, saw the growing need for the school bus transportation service because students attending Clarendon College, especially those from the south, were constantly late for school.

The implementation of the bus system significantly improved the students' attendance pattern.

He boasted that Blue Liner was the safest way to travel to and from school in a timely manner. "For the 42 years of service, there has been no major accident. The Holmwood situation last year could have been avoided if there was a bus system such as this in place. It is incidents such as these that brings out the value of a school bus service. I have been doing a service to Clarendon College for 42 years and the stellar performance speaks for itself."

Safety and convenience

He added that teachers also made use of the service he provides for both safety and convenience.

Marsha Tilloc has been a teacher for six years. She says the service is excellent and she gets to school on time every day. "He is a good driver and I feel safe driving with him."

Students who cannot always afford the fare are not turned away, neither are they labelled or singled out. "I don't know how I do it, but God knows. He provides for us and gives us the strength to continue."

Mears said that he absolutely enjoyed his job. "I love children and I take great pleasure in transporting them to school. Nobody really does something they don't enjoy, and for me to be doing this so long, it must be enjoyment that keeps me here. I enjoy my job because I see myself carrying the future doctors and lawyers. That feeling helps me to realise that I am not like the flowers that bloom today and wither tomorrow."

Tina-shay Booth has been a student at Clarendon College for six years and has been a passenger on Blue Liner for the same number of years. "For me, out of all the buses that come to school, Blue Liner is the safest, and I trust the driver. I also get to meet a lot of other students and we interact and build new friendships. We always have fun. He always encourages us as students, especially when it's exam time to study, and to do our best, and he respects us as students and we respect him. He always maintains order and discipline on the bus, too. He interacts well with us, and he is easy to talk to and is always willing to help with homework, and such."

Junior, or Max, as he is affectionately called, spoke with passion about his love for each set of students. "There is a special bond with each set of students every year. So every time I think of throwing in the towel, there is a set of students that comes along who encourage me to continue."

rural@gleanerjm.com