Spanish Town, St. Catherine – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) and the University and Allied Workers’ Union (UAWU), representing the drivers who took strike action today, have reached an agreement at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MOLSS), leading to an immediate resolution of the industrial action. As a result, normal work operations will resume at 5:00 PM today.

JUTC remains committed to open dialogue and constructive discussions regarding the concerns raised. In this regard, a follow-up meeting has been scheduled with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on March 7, 2025, to further address outstanding matters.

“We are pleased to have reached an amicable resolution that allows us to resume normal operations for the benefit of the commuting public. JUTC values our employees and remains committed to addressing their concerns fairly and transparently,” said Shantole Thompson, Corporate and Communications Manager of JUTC.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of the commuting public and regret any inconvenience caused during this period of disruption. JUTC remains steadfast in its commitment to providing safe and efficient public transportation for all Jamaicans.

Contact Information

Shantole Thompson

Corporate Communications Manager

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 876-866-7294

Spanish Town, St. Catherine – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) is advising the public that drivers at the Rockfort, Portmore and Spanish Town Depots, represented by the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU), have withdrawn their services effective 4:00 a.m. today, February 18, 2025.

This action is in response to an incident involving two employees from the Union of Clerical and Supervisory Employees bargaining group, which is currently under investigation. The JUTC management has taken preliminary steps to address the matter, including the temporary reassignment of the involved employees while maintaining their employment benefits. These measures were communicated to all relevant parties, with assurances that appropriate action will be taken upon the conclusion of the investigation.

While we acknowledge the concerns raised, we believe the industrial action is unnecessary, as the matter is being handled with due process. The demand for immediate termination of employees without a full investigation is not a course of action the company can take.

The withdrawal of service will result in disruptions on several routes. The JUTC is implementing contingency measures to minimize the impact on commuters, and further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

We urge the drivers to resume their duties and allow the process to unfold in a fair and just manner. The company is actively engaging with union representatives to reach a resolution and restore normal operations as soon as possible.

We crave the public’s patience and understanding as we work towards resolving this matter.

Spanish Town, St. Catherine – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) understands the frustration some of our valued commuters have experienced since the soft launch of the SmartFare card system. Our team is committed to fixing these issues and making your travel experience smoother and more convenient in the shortest possible time.

The transition from the Smarter Cards to the new SmartFare Cards is a major system upgrade designed to enhance efficiency for our commuters. As with any major upgrade, we acknowledge that there are adjustments to be made, and the team is actively working to improve your experience.

We know how important it is for you to check your card balance easily. For this reason, we designed the following solutions:

1. Kiosks at All Ticket Offices – You will soon be able to check your SmartFare balance quickly and easily at kiosks installed at the JUTC ticket offices.

2. SmartFare Mobile App – A mobile app is on the way! This will allow you to check your balance anytime, anywhere, right from your phone.
   
   
3. Balance Check at Top-Up Locations – When you visit any authorized SmartFare top-up merchant, you will be able to check your balance before adding funds.

Our mandate is to provide seamless transportation from one point to the next, ensuring that no passenger is ever left behind. With the account-based SmartFare card, you can still board the bus even if your balance is low. The system will record the fare, and once you top up, the amount will be deducted automatically.

JUTC is committed to continuously improve the SmartFare system, to ensure a better customer experience. We will provide updates to keep you informed of these improvements as we work diligently to refine the system.

Contact Information

Shantole Thompson

Corporate Communications Manager

Spanish Town, St. Catherine – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) is committed to providing safe and affordable transportation for all Jamaicans. In line with this mission, JUTC is pleased to announce the launch of Route 52B, a new weekday bus service connecting Castleton Gardens and Halfway Tree.

Effective February 3, 2025, Route 52B will operate four trips daily in each direction, making stops along Toms River, Temple Hall, and Golden Spring. The scheduled departure times are as follows:

From Castleton Gardens: 5:00 AM, 7:15 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:10 PM

From Halfway Tree: 6:10 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:10 PM, 5:20 PM

Affordable Fares for All Commuters:

• Students, Children, and Persons with Disabilities: $20.00 (SmartFare card) | $100.00 (Cash)
• Seniors: $25.00 (SmartFare card) | $100.00 (Cash)
• Adults: $50.00 (SmartFare card) | $100.00 (Cash)

JUTC recognizes the financial challenges faced by many commuters, particularly students and individuals with disabilities. By offering significantly reduced fares through the SmartFare card, the company is ensuring that public transportation remains an affordable and accessible option for everyone.

Ms. Nathalia Palomino, JUTC’s Marketing and Sales Manager, emphasized the company’s dedication to affordability. She further encouraged all commuters to switch to the SmartFare card commencing February 1, 2025, to take advantage of these discounted rates and enjoy a hassle- free travel experience.

“We are committed to making daily commuting more budget-friendly, especially for students and persons with disabilities who depend on our services. With the SmartFare card, they can travel at a fraction of the cash fare, making their journeys more convenient and economical.”

JUTC urges all commuters to obtain their SmartFare cards to enjoy lower fares, faster boarding, and a cashless travel experience. Additionally, JUTC will be officially launching its “Ride Right

 

with SmartFare” campaign on March 4, 2025 to push the sign-up for the new cards but also to share JUTC’s plans to make commuting easy and safe for everyone. The company remains steadfast in its mission to expand and enhance public transport services for all Jamaicans.

Shantole Thompson

Spanish Town, St. Catherine –The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) is pleased to announce the launch of a new weekday route, #504, which will operate between Chapelton and May Pen, effective February 5, 2025. This service will enhance connectivity for commuters in Clarendon, providing an affordable and safe transportation option along the Chapelton-May Pen corridor.

The new Route #504 will serve passengers traveling via Turners and New Longsville, offering a regular service operated from the Spanish Town Depot. Commuters will benefit from an affordable fare structure:

• Adults: $100.00 (SmartFare) | $150.00 (Cash)
• Concession 1 (Seniors): $50.00 (SmartFare) | $150.00 (Cash)

• Concession 2 (Children, Students, Disabled): $50.00 (SmartFare | $150.00 (Cash) The service will run on the following schedule:

Chapelton to May Pen (Departure Times):

 

• 6:00 AM
• 7:30 AM
• 8:50 AM
• 3:00 PM
• 4:50 PM
• 6:45 PM

May Pen to Chapelton (Departure Times):

 

• 6:45 AM
• 8:15 AM
• 2:30 PM
• 3:53 PM
• 5:50 PM

 

Mrs. Carla Barrett-Morris, Service Planning Manager, indicates this is a part of the JUTC’s ongoing efforts to expand its reach beyond the boundaries of the KMTR in keeping with the expressed desire of the Honourable Daryl Vaz, MP Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport. “The company’s medium to long-term vision is to see commuters in other parishes benefit from safe, reliable and more affordable transportation and to also play its part in the development of a more disciplined public transportation system island wide.”

The JUTC encourages passengers to take advantage of the new service and reminds them that using their SmartFare ensures the best fares. For further information, customers can visit the JUTC website or contact the Customer Service Department at 888-588-2287. We also encourage our commuters to share their feedback on our services via WhatsApp at 876-570-1789.

Contact Information

Shantole Thompson