Author: @JUTC-RedeV

JUTC Launches New Rural Stage Carriage Route Connecting Linstead to Spanish Town and to Facilitate Top-Ups at Rose Duncan Park

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

Spanish Town, St. Catherine – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) is proud to announce the launch of a new rural stage carriage route connecting Linstead to Spanish Town. This new route, numbered 605, will officially commence operations on January 27, 2025, providing safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for residents along the corridor.

Route Details: 

  • Route Name: Linstead to Spanish Town (via Bog Walk, Angels)

Fare Structure: 

  • Adults: $100.00 (SmarterCard) | $150.00 (Cash)
  • Concession 1 (Seniors): $50.00 (SmarterCard) | $150.00 (Cash)
  • Concession 2 (Children, Students, Disabled): $50.00 (SmarterCard) | $150.00 (Cash)

Schedule: 

  • Linstead Departures: 6:00 AM, 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 4:30 PM, 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM
  • Spanish Town Departures: 7:15 AM, 7:45 AM, 9:00 AM, 3:15 PM, 3:45 PM, 5:45 PM, 6:15 PM, 7:30 PM

Speaking on the new service route, Mr. Owen Ellington, Acting Managing Director, stated: “JUTC remains committed to enhancing the commuting experience for all Jamaicans. This new Linstead to Spanish Town route is a direct response to the growing demand for convenient and affordable transportation in rural areas. We are confident it will make a significant positive impact on the lives of our passengers.”

The SmarterCard is an essential tool for commuters who wish to save time and money while traveling on JUTC buses. By using the SmarterCard, passengers can enjoy reduced fares compared to paying with cash, making their daily commutes more affordable. Additionally, the card streamlines the boarding process, reducing delays and improving overall efficiency.

The JUTC remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering quality service while fostering sustainable development in the communities it serves. Passengers are encouraged to visit the company’s website or contact customer service for further details about the new route.


Shantole Thompson

JUTC Launches New Rural Stage Carriage Route Connecting Linstead to Spanish Town and to Facilitate Top-Ups at Rose Duncan Park

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

Media Invited to Announcement of New Rural Stage Carriage Route and Top-Up Service

WHO:
The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC).

1. Mr. Romain – Khade Gayle – Deputy Managing Director, Operations
2. Ms. Nathalia Palomino – Marketing & Sales Manager

WHAT:
Announcement of the New Rural Stage Carriage Route connecting Linstead to Spanish Town,
as well as the availability of a convenient top-up service at Rose Duncan Park, Linstead.

WHEN:
January 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM.

WHERE:
Rose Duncan Park, Linstead.

WHY:
To improve public transportation services for rural commuters and enhance convenience with a
top-up service at a central location.

JUTC Reintroduces May Pen Bus Route to Enhance Commuter Experience

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

Spanish Town, St. Catherine – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is pleased to announce the reintroduction of its May Pen Bus Route, bringing enhanced convenience and affordable fares to residents and students in May Pen and surrounding areas. As part of the reintroduction activities, a pop-up event was held at May Pen Square on January 16, 2025 from 6:00am to 6:00pm, encouraging commuters to top up their JUTC SmarterCards or sign up for their first card.

During the event, JUTC’s Acting Managing Director, Mr. Owen Ellington, toured the May Pen Route, engaging with commuters and gaining firsthand feedback. The tour, which spanned from Spanish Town to Denbigh, Lionel Town, and May Pen Square, highlighted the company’s commitment to providing reliable and accessible transportation solutions.

One commuter expressed her satisfaction, stating, “The best thing the JUTC did was extend its service to May Pen, especially benefiting my children. When going to school, their preferred route is always taking the JUTC. The fares are also very affordable.”

The May Pen Route was initially introduced in 2017 (routes 501, 502 and 503) through a partnership with the Ministry of Education and Youth to accommodate students in the area. Its reintroduction ensures the continued availability of safe and affordable public transportation for commuters.

The following routes are operational:

  • Route 501: Old Harbour – Denbigh/May Pen via Free Town, Bustamante Highway
  • Route 502: Lionel Town – Denbigh/May Pen via Vere Hayes, Mineral Heights
  • Route 503: Toll Gates – Denbigh/May Pen via Osborne Store, Muirhead Avenue
  • Route 511: Spanish Town – May Pen via Toll Road/Highway

Mr. Owen Ellington, Acting Managing Director shared his enthusiasm for the initiative, saying, “JUTC is committed to meeting the needs of our commuters, and the reintroduction of the May Pen Route reflects our dedication to improving the quality of public transportation across Jamaica.”

Adding to this, Ms. Nathalia Palomino, Marketing and Sales Manager, remarked, “The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. We urge all commuters to make the most of the JUTC SmarterCard and enjoy the benefits of reduced fares. This initiative underscores our commitment to customer satisfaction.”

Commuters can visit any JUTC outlet or the mobile unit to top up or acquire their SmarterCards. The JUTC remains steadfast in its mission to provide safe, reliable, and affordable transportation to all Jamaicans.

Contact:

Telephone: 876-5829742

Viral Video Being Investigated

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited is aware of a video that has been making the rounds on social media showing two people engaging in sexual acts, in what appears to be one of our buses.

We wish to be unequivocal, that as a Company, we do not condone lewd and lascivious behaviour at the workplace or on our units.

We take this matter seriously, and will investigate fully and fairly.

JUTC signs MOU with HEART NSTA for work-based training

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

 

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited and Heart NSTA Trust, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, that will enable trainees to repair buses.

Under the programme, some 44 trainees in Motor Vehicle Mechanics will use their skill to participate in work-based training across four (4) depots of the JUTC.

The first batch of trainees will be engaged for six months subsequent to an ongoing engagement of other batches of trainees.

The partnership will commence next week and is for a period of three years.

JUTC Resumes Normal Operations

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV
The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) has resumed normal operations after  service was disrupted  due to protest action by drivers.
This follows an agreement between the JUTC and the University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU) which represents the drivers.
The agreement was reached following a meeting held this afternoon at the Ministry of Labour.amd Social Security.
The drivers resumed duties at 7:00 P.M. following two days of strike.

Disruption of Regular Service

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

Update: Drivers remain off the job (March 30)

Operations at the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) are still being impacted by strike action.

The drivers have been protesting since yesterday to express their dissatisfaction with the new compensation system.

Teams from the JUTC Finance Department are meeting with drivers to resolve the issue and to have a full resumption of service.

Please monitor our social media pages as we provide updates on this developing situation.

 

The JUTC would like to advise commuters that there is a disruption in our regular service as some drivers have taken industrial action. As a result, there are huge crowds at our major transportation hubs. We are urging commuters to make alternative arrangements to get to their destinations. We will keep you updated.”

March 29, 2023

 

 

Students Running Alongside JUTC Buses: A Growing Concern

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

 

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) and the Road Safety Unit of the Ministry of Transport and Mining is appealing to students to end the alarming trend of running alongside JUTC buses in the Downtown, Kingston layby.

This practice has attracted growing concern for the Ministry of Transport and Mining, the JUTC, parents and school administrators alike, and poses a serious risk to student and vehicular safety.

In recent weeks, there have been reported incidents of students from schools in Downtown, Kingston, running alongside buses in the bus park, in an attempt to board and secure seating. The behaviour not only endangers the students’ lives and safety, but also the safety of other passengers and road users.

An urgent appeal is also being made to school officials and parents to speak with their children about the dangers of running after and alongside buses, and the importance of practicing road safety while commuting to and from school. They are also being reminded to encourage students to stand on the curb and wait for the buses to come to a complete stop before approaching it. Approach the bus from the front and wait for the driver to open the door and do not push or shove other passengers.

“The Ministry and JUTC take the safety of all commuters seriously, and we want to remind everyone that running alongside buses is a dangerous practice”, said Deidrie Hudson Sinclair, Director of the Road Safety Unit. “We have engaged the Ministry of Education and Youth, as well as the schools in the area to provide road safety intervention and will be doing so over the coming weeks”.

Parents and students are being asked to take this issue seriously and to work together with the Ministry and the JUTC to ensure the safety of all students and commuters in preventing any future incidents.

JUTC Launches Customer Portal for Charters and Sub-Franchise License

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

 

 

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the JUTC Customer Portal, an online platform that will vastly enhance service delivery to customers by improving public access and ease of business transactions. Through the portal, customers are able to book charters, apply for sub-franchise licenses, and pay the relevant fees/charges, all from the comfort of their own home. The platform is expected to advance the efficiency with which the JUTC serves its clientele.

Managing Director of the JUTC Paul Abrahams, says the portal is part of the company’s thrust to enhance customer experience and provide greater convenience to customers. “We are constantly seeking ways to meet the changing needs of our clients, and we believe that the launch of the portal is a significant step in that direction.”

The JUTC Customer Portal is now live and can be accessed via our website at www.jutc.gov.jm. We are confident that users will find the portal user-friendly, easy to navigate, and convenient in accessing the services they require.

We urge all our existing and potential clients to take advantage of this new platform and to provide us with any feedback they may have.

We remain committed to providing customer oriented and modern services to the public transit sector.

Government launches the First Public Passenger Battery Electric Bus (BEB)

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

 

As the Government moves towards reducing its carbon footprint to create a more sustainable transport sector, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has launched the first Battery Electric Bus (BEB) for public transportation.

The bus which seats 35 and has facilities for members of the disabled community as well as parents traveling with a stroller, was launched during a ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, January 30, 2023.

Prime Minister Holness noted that the Government is serious about its environmental commitments, as well as its climate change obligations, but stressed that the government is committed to its fiscal arrangements to ensuring that the JUTC does not become a fiscal risk or threat to the government.

“To fullfil all of these commitments (our climate change and environment and fiscal management) the government has to undertake a very comprehensive programme of integrating new technologies into our operations. We started that a few years ago with the introduction of compressed natural gas buses and now we are moving to electric buses. Electric buses offer a great deal of advantages, environmental advantages, practically no emissions, low maintainance and it takes away the theft of fuel” Prime Minister Holness said.

Prime Minister Holness noted that following the launch, the bus will be handed over to the JUTC for an initial testing period of approximately six months to gather empirical data which will be used to determine the next steps regarding BEBs in the public transportation industry.

For his part, Transport and Mining Minister Audley Shaw urged commuters to take care of the bus. He noted that 5 additional BEBs are slated to arrive by the end of next month along with 45 diesel-operated units.

Managing Director of the JUTC Paul Abrahams, lauded the initiative saying the introduction of the BEB is part of the strategic effort of the Company to reduce the use of fossil fuels and thus reduce emissions into the atmosphere. Outling some of the features of the bus, Mr. Abrahams noted that the bus is equipped with dashcams, real-time data collection and low floor capacity to assist members of the disabled community.

An electric bus is one that replaces an internal combustion engine and fuel tank with an electric motor and battery which is powered by electricity, thereby reducing noise and pollution.