The management of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, this morning held an emergency meeting in the wake of three buses being impacted by fire in the last seven days. The issues arising from each incident were discussed and plans put in place to prevent a recurrence.

One of the short term plans is that the buses will come under greater scrutiny by our Maintenance Department. Although there is in place a monthly fire prevention maintenance programme, a decision was taken to establish Special Fire teams across the depots with the sole purpose of assessing and monitoring the fleet fortnightly instead of monthly. The special team will be headed by a fleet engineer and has been implemented with immediate effect.

Our team of mechanics and engineers will also ramp up control mechanisms such as valve adjustments, back pressure testing and coolant density tests.

Managing Director of the JUTC, Paul Abrahams, says “we note the concerns from our valued customers and wish to reassure them that we do not take these fires lightly and will put all measures in place to ensure their safety”.

The latest incident happened about minutes to 8 o’clock last night on Winchester/Hope Road, St. Andrew.

The quick action of the driver prevented the fire from spreading as he used the extinguisher to put out the blaze. He was subsequently assisted by members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

The fire is suspected to be caused by an oil leak. No one was injured and the superstructure of the bus was not compromised.

The bus will be back in operation in a few days.

Last night’s incident occurred metres away from the previous fire on Tuesday night which was caused by arson.