News – Page 11 – Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited

JUTC expresses condolences to families and call for calm following two tragic incidents

Posted on September 24, 2019 by JIS Webmaster

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, notes with regret two tragic incidents involving its staff and a taxi operator over the past 36 hours.

The management of the JUTC wishes to express its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of the JUTC driver and the taxi operator. It cannot be easy knowing that a loved one has gone to work, to provide for his/her family, only to find out that they were involved in an incident which was fatal, Corporate Communications Manager Cecil Thoms has said.

In the face of the incidents, we have established a cool off period, as we assess the situation minute by minute. The safety of our drivers and commuters is of paramount concern and so we are appealing for calm, while the matter is being investigated.

An emergency meeting has been called for 10am to discuss the developments, that will include our stakeholders including but not limited to the police, taxi associations and unions to quickly resolve the matter and to resume bus operations.

Tenth staging of the JUTC Grand Health Fair Sunday, September 8th

Posted on September 5, 2019September 5, 2019 by JIS Webmaster

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine, Jamaica – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, in association with the Help Jamaica Medical Mission, will stage its 10^th grand health fair on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at the Portmore Depot in St. Catherine. More than 20 medical professionals, a majority of them who live overseas, are already in the island.

Communications Manager at the JUTC, Cecil Thoms, says everything is copacetic. “We have been collaborating with the Help Jamaica Medical Mission for several years now in staging this annual treat. Initially, the health fair was conceived to provide support and assistance to our staff, many of whom lead sedentary lifestyles and are predisposed to a wide range of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and so on. It was felt that because the society at large suffers from a wide range of non-communicable diseases that we should extend the initiative as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility to our commuters. Last year the fair attracted more than 400 people, our largest ever, and we are hoping more people will come and benefit from free medication, eye-wear and general medical advice this year,” Thoms said.

Local Organiser Norma Russell says the JUTC has been an exceptionally excellent partner and we hope to continue this partnership for many years to come. “Outside of the JUTC, the medical team will be offering free medical support and assistance to people in Kingston (at the Evangelistic Centre on September 5 and Boulevard Baptist Church on September 6), St. Catherine (at the GC Foster College on September 7), in St. St. Thomas (Harvil Holding on September 10) and on September 11 and 12 at Smithville Circuit of Baptist Churches in Clarendon and RSVP Caribbean Volunteers in Manchester respectively. We are appealing to the public to come out and make use of the opportunity” Ms. Russell said.

During the health fair this year the public will be treated to free meals. They will also be able to purchase items at discounted prices from our partners National Bakery (Yummy brand), Catherine’s Peak, Tastee and Caribbean Broilers.

The Help Jamaica Medical Mission is a team of Medical professionals from New Jersey in the United States. Last year, 28 doctors, nurses, ophthalmologists and pharmacists participated in the fair. Three non-Jamaicans, an American and two Ghanaians were also a part of the set up who volunteered their services.

JUTC to roll out more than 400 buses for new school year

Posted on August 31, 2019August 31, 2019 by JIS Webmaster

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine, Jamaica – With two days to go before the start of the new academic year, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, is reporting that it is ready for back-to-school.

Over the course of the summer holidays, we used the period to ramp-up our maintenance and servicing of units in preparation for the new school year. As a result, come Monday, we are targeting a roll-out of more than 400 buses to meet commuter demand. The bus company is also working aggressively to put back into operation buses that have been down, having received a substantial cache of spare parts to boost its fleet.

We take note of the prospect of a strike by public transport operators next week, but advise the public that we will play our part to ensure that we move our commuters to their destinations safely. Our inspectors, point dispatchers and other on the ground personnel will be hand across our operations to offer support to our customers and to respond to any query/concern they may have.

Our core values dictate that we stand by our commitment to provide a safe, reliable and convenient service to the people in keeping with the highest tradition of the company and public expectation.