Author: @JUTC-RedeV

Police and JUTC launch investigation into fire that destroyed bus last night

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, and the Police have launched an investigation into last night’s fire which destroyed a bus on Hope Road that was coming from Downtown via Mountain View Avenue, Kingston.

Reports are that around 7:35pm, the driver set down passengers at a bus stop adjacent to the Clock Tower Plaza on Hope Road, when he was alerted by other passengers that there was a fire inside the back of the bus. The driver reportedly ushered the remaining passengers off the unit with a view to put out the fire with an extinguisher. However, the bus became quickly engulfed in flames.

The Managing Director of the JUTC, Paul Abrahams, says preliminary reports from the Police and our investigators reveal that the engine compartment was not damaged or burnt. It is therefore clear that investigators must pursue a different angle” he said. No one was injured and for that we are truly grateful, continued Mr. Abrahams.

We await the outcome of the investigations.

Passenger cuts JUTC driver in the face

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

Spanish Town, St. Catherine – A Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, bus driver is nursing knife wounds after he was violently attacked by a passenger this morning in Half Way Tree, St. Andrew.

According to preliminary reports, sometime after 9 this morning, a passenger boarded a bus inside the Half Way Tree Transport Centre and soon thereafter began complaining that the bus was too cold.

He reportedly proceeded to open a window when he was told by the driver that it would affect the air conditioning and that the window must be kept closed.

The passenger reportedly demanded back his fare and soon thereafter approached the driver who was preparing to return the money when he was slashed in the face.

The attacker ran off the bus, but was pursued by the driver who eventually held him along Eastwood Park Road where the Police intervened and accosted the man.

Paul Abrahams, Managing Director of the JUTC along with other senior managers visited the hospital where the driver is being treated to ensure he is given the best care possible.

“The JUTC condemns the wanton attacks on drivers who are providing an essential service to law abiding Jamaicans.” He appealed to fellow drivers for calm, who suspended their service for an hour in a show of solidarity as they vented their disapproval over the incident. The drivers have since resumed their duties.

“These incidents are very concerning and we hope that this does not become a trend. We are appealing to passengers to not tamper with any part of the bus and to generally abide by the company’s rules, and wish our driver a speedy recovery.”

New Turnaround of JUTC Buses Should Ameliorate Frustration of Above Rocks Residents

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, says it has located a plot of land in Above Rocks St. Catherine, where its buses will now turnaround, which should ameliorate the inconvenience and frustration of residents. This follows a breakaway on a section of the main road last week.

The team was shown a plot of land with space for turning, which is about 200 metres from the terminus (St. Mary’s College), which is before the breakaway.

The owner of the property was contacted and permission given to use this area as a turnaround point.

Last week, the Bus Company was forced to shorten route 53 at Parks Road, which is a mile and half from the terminus. Route 53 plies Half Way Tree, Constant Spring, Stony Hill and Above Rocks.

JUTC shortens journey due to breakaway

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, is advising the public that as a result of a breakaway on a section of the main road to Above Rocks, St. Catherine, it will have to shorten the journey for buses which ply route 53 (Half Way Tree, Constant Spring, Stony Hill and Above Rocks).

 

The breakaway is in the vicinity of the Above Rocks Police Station which is located between the terminal point and the turnaround point for buses.

 

He says the safety of commuters is paramount, and so buses that ply the route will not cross the breakaway.

 

Our buses will now turn around at Parks Road which is approximately a mile and a half from the terminus, and will undoubtedly impact a significant number of passengers, but it’s best to be safe than sorry.

 

He says the truncation of the route is likely to be in place until the road is fixed, and that the bus company is in touch with stakeholders.

Extension granted to sub-franchise operators to pay road licenses

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

Extension granted to sub franchise operators 27 March 2019

Sub-Franchise Operators Granted Extension to Pay Road Licenses

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine: Following discussions with Transport Minister Robert Montague, a decision has been taken to grant sub-franchise operators an additional week to pay their road licenses. The road licenses will expire on Sunday, March 31, 2019, however, operators will now have until Monday, April 8, 2019 to renew their licenses.

Operators are being encouraged to take advantage of the grace period to avoid prosecution, as no further extensions will be given.

The JUTC collaborates with private operators to provide supplemental services on certain routes within the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region where the Company by virtue of certain operational challenges cannot efficiently operate. Currently there are some 400 private vehicle owners that benefit from this partnership and provide public transportation services on select routes.

Man succumbs to injuries after being hit by a JUTC bus

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

Spanish Town, St. Catherine: A man has died after he was struck by a bus early this morning in Kingston.

It is reported that at around 5:50am, the bus was travelling towards Downtown Kingston along Waltham Park Road. On reaching the vicinity near the Chinese Cemetery, a car that was travelling in the opposite direction with bright lights impaired the vision of the bus driver. The driver reportedly veered to the left when he felt an impact. Passengers on board the bus also confirmed to the driver that he had hit someone.

The injured man was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries.

The incident has been reported to the police who are conducting their investigations, as is our Accident Investigations Department.

Meanwhile, the driver has been taken off front-line duty and will undergo counselling.

We generally abhor these types of incidents which result in the loss of life of any citizen and commit to play our part in minimizing as best we can same, as we keep the family and friends of the deceased in our prayers.

JUTC Launches Wide Scale Investigation on Operations

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC), has launched a wide scale investigation into an incident involving a former member of staff who drove away a bus from one of its depots, which caused minor damage to a motor car in Grants Pen, St. Andrew, on Sunday, December 23, 2018. No one was hurt or injured in the incident.

According to reports, the former staff who was employed as a mechanic, came onto the compound in another bus which had reportedly developed mechanical problems along North Parade, Kingston. It is reported that the driver of the bus allowed the ex-employee to drive the bus back to the depot. It is further alleged that while at the depot, the ex-employee gained access to another unit and drove it out of the compound without the requisite security and operational clearance.

Preliminary assessment has so far revealed that the driver of the bus which allowed the ex-employee access to the facility was not aware that the former employee was no longer working with the Company.

In the meantime, the Company has engaged retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Granville Gause to launch a wide scale investigation into the incident.

Motorcyclist dies in accident

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

SPANISH TOWN: Corporate Office – A motorcyclist died tragically last night after the bike he was riding veered in the direction of a Jamaica Urban Transit Company bus in Above Rocks, in the vicinity of Parks Road in St. Catherine.

Preliminary reports indicate that at around 9:50pm Sunday, a bus was travelling towards Above Rocks when a motor bike travelling in the opposition direction veered into the path of the bus. It’s reported that the bike rider was being transported to hospital when the vehicle in which he was being carried met in an accident.

Meanwhile, information reaching the JUTC is that members of the community are threatening to damage JUTC’s buses in retaliation over the accident. The management of the bus company is expressing condolences to the family of the deceased. It must be noted however that any threat of violence, confirmed by the police, will result in the bus company pulling its service to the route to protect state property and life.

 

The matter is being investigated by the Police.

Detour Advisory Phase 2

Posted on by @JUTC-RedeV

As a follow up to our previous communication, kindly note that there will be additional closures along the Three Miles/Hagley Park corridor, effective Sunday, September 9, 2018, as road improvement works continue.

The additional closures will impact our Portmore operation. We are allocating buses at Dawkins Drive and will be dispatching buses at Christian Gardens, Naggo Head and Greater Pormore earlier than usual. We appeal to commuters to start their journey early.

There will be delays. We ask you to be considerate and patient as we go through this period together.

Please familiarize yourself with the routes affected and detours to help you in your travels.