Press Release From The Jamaica Information Service - 20240827
The 100 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses that were formally handed over to the State-run Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) on Tuesday (August 27), represent the largest single addition to the entity’s fleet.
The fleet already includes 25 CNG buses, and the addition of the 100 new units is expected to significantly expand the JUTC’s capacity to provide cleaner more efficient service.
The provision also signifies the Government’s commitment to improving and building out the public transport sector.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who addressed the handover ceremony at the JUTC’s Portmore Depot in St. Catherine on Tuesday (August 27), said the investment will seek to reduce incidents of theft of fuel and parts from the JUTC fleet.
“As we move to change out the [entire] fleet of these [to] other forms of fuel-driven buses, CNG and electric buses, we hope to radically cut the theft of JUTC fuel and parts to ensure that [those] savings, both in the cost of the fuel and the theft of the fuel, are passed on into more convenience in buses for the people of Jamaica,” he said.
The buses, which arrived on July 15, will be deployed to deliver service across Portmore, Spanish Town and other areas in St. Catherine.
Notably, 12 buses from the JUTC fleet have been sent to the Montego Bay Metro Company to bolster service in the Montego Bay area.
This number will expand the fleet servicing Jamaica’s north coast from six to 18, representing a 200 per cent increase.
Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said these buses will serve the parishes of Hanover, Westmoreland, Trelawny and St. James.
Montego Bay Metro currently transports between 47,000 and 55,000 commuters daily.
With the additional buses, the company will service 80,000 to 100,000 commuters daily, representing a 113 per cent increase.
“Every bus you see here today represents more jobs, less waiting times, more productivity, safer commute and improved service and comfort,” Minister Vaz said.
He noted that since 2023, a total of 170 buses have been purchased at a cost of $5 billion.
Of the recent addition, Mr. Vaz informed that “we have purchased 100 new CNG buses for the improvement of public transportation for the first time in modern Jamaica, and we have done so without any external financing or any need for loans”.
A breakdown of buses acquired over the last 10 years includes 69 in 2014, 27 in 2015, 35 in 2016, and five CNG units in 2019.
In 2023, the JUTC fleet was expanded with an additional 70 buses comprising 45 diesel, 20 CNG and, for the first time, five electric vehicle units.
The JUTC has an exclusive mandate to provide public transportation service within the Kingston Metropolitan Transit Region (KMTR), operating on 120 routes.
The entity operates from three main depots – Spanish Town, Portmore, and Rockfort in Kingston, offering a range of services, including charter and premium express.
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Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, examines one of the new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses acquired for the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) during Tuesday’s (August 27) handover ceremony at the State entity’s Portmore Depot in St. Catherine. |
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Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, greets President of the Combined Disabilities Association, St. Catherine, Christine Keene. Looking on is Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke. The occasion was Tuesday’s (August 27) handover ceremony for 100 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses acquired for the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) at the State-entity’s Portmore Depot in St. Catherine. |
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Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left), and Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke (second left), observe as Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, assists President of the Combined Disabilities Association, St. Catherine, Christine Keene, in maneuvering her wheelchair onto a ramp affixed to one of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company’s new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. The occasion was Tuesday’s (August 27) handover ceremony for the 100 new CNG buses acquired for the JUTC at the State entity’s Portmore Depot in St. Catherine. |
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I hope they can ride with ease & comfort now👹
ReplyDeleteNow that there are more buses at least 2 could be put on a route that runs on Wellington Drive in Kingston 6 via UWI gate to August Town and Papine to and from Downtown Parade,in Kingston.
ReplyDeleteAnother should operate from 3miles.
There is even an unused bustop accross the road from St Peter's and Paul Prep school on Wellington Drive.
A bus must run that route now.
I noticed that TVJ didn't bother to report this in their newscast last night. They only mentioned that the PM was speaking at an event to hand over the buses as part of another story on Dr. Nigel Clarke's departure. Why is it that our media houses seem to have an aversion to good news?
ReplyDeleteGood reason for you to support and share the Bark Di Trute blogs and to subscribe to the Bark Di Trute YouTube Channel.
DeleteIt is so heartening to see the busses. I'm particularly happy that it won't be just the cooperate area that will have the busses. So tired of everything being Kingston as if the other areas are not important
ReplyDeleteBig up Holness
I wonder how many persons understand the significance of buying 100 buses without getting a loan or any form of external financing? I am not yet able to speak of the improvement of my personal financial situation but if the economy keep on this trajectory I will definately soon be able to.
ReplyDeleteOn the matter of the increase in buses, that was way overdue and therefore welcomed but the main issue there is proper dispatching and route management. The route supervisors and inspectors are an absolute joke and I speak in general based on my interactions with commuters but I also speak specifically of the downtown/ Portmore routes. A part of the problem them is what I perceived to be a connection with the JUTC staff and the route taxis.