Category: News

JUTC only transporting passengers with face masks

Posted on by @JIS_webmaster7

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, says all passengers are now required to bring and wear their own protective masks as the cases of COVID-19 increases. Passengers who fail to wear a facial barrier will not be allowed entry on buses.

This requirement takes immediate effect and is to ensure the comfort, safety and wellbeing of each passenger and our staff.

Passengers are also reminded to respect the personal space of others and observe social distancing where required and to comply with other safety measures as announced.

In addition, we advise that passengers will only be carried between 6:00a.m. and 6:00p.m. in keeping with the restrictions announced by the Government recently.

Kindly note that for hill routes (Above Rocks and Border) including 52, 53, 54, 61 their last run will be at 4:30pm.

For all other routes the last available bus will be at 5:00p.m. Buses will return to the depot between 6:00p.m. and 7:00p.m. without passengers.

Meanwhile, the JUTC is advising that it can facilitate the transportation of government entities and companies which provide essential services. Arrangements should be made no later than 6:00p.m. daily. Contact our COVID Command Centre at 876.587.9206 or 876.587.9290 or via email – Operations @jutc.com.jm for further information.

We will review these measures where necessary and adjust accordingly as we continue to monitor the situation.

Social media reports false and malicious

Posted on by @JIS_webmaster7
The Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, is unequivocally denying  reports circulating on social media, that the Chinese firm, CHEC, is to acquire the state run bus company.
The report is not only false, mischievous and malicious but comes at a time when the nation is grappling to contain the spread of COVID-19.
We take this opportunity to thank our frontline team of drivers, dispatchers and customer service staff for the tremendous work they are doing and continue to do in the face of adversity. Together, we  will rise again and get pass this pause.

Finally, the JUTC has purchased Golden Dragon buses out of China more than three years ago, and the Company continues to have a healthy working relationship with its Chinese partners.

JUTC only facilitating the movement of essential workers during St. Catherine lockdown

Posted on by @JIS_webmaster7

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, is advising the public that following the announcement by the Government of a one-week lockdown of the parish of St. Catherine, it will ONLY be facilitating the movement into and out of the parish of essential workers. The lockdown which began at 5am this morning will run until April 22, 2020, is in the wake of a dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

Deputy Managing Director in charge of Operations Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Godphey Sterling says persons who are non-essential workers will be accommodated to pursue the essentials of life within the parish but that is to be done within the stipulated time. He says while the hours of operations for the JUTC remain unchanged, commuters in St. Spanish Town and Portmore should take note of the following –

  1. Between the hours of 5:00am and 8:00am today only personnel in the essential services may ride the buses with appropriate identification.
  2. Between 8:00am and 10:00am only persons 65 yrs and older, pregnant persons and the disabled may ride the buses within the parish of St. Catherine.
  3. Between 10:00am and 1:30pm persons with surnames beginning with the letters A to M may ride the buses with appropriate identification.
  4. Between 1:30pm and 5:00pm persons with surnames beginning with the letters N to Z may ride the buses with appropriate identification.
  5. We are prepared to provide a shuttle type service within the municipality of Portmore between areas of commerce and population centres between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm. Provided there is a demand.
  6. We will review these measures where necessary and adjust accordingly as we continue to monitor the situation.

 

During the one-week lockdown, there will be 2 days to pursue the essentials of life. Medical emergencies will be treated with as they arise. These days are Wednesday, April 15, 2020 and Saturday, April 18, 2020.  We are appealing to persons who are not classified as first responders or essential workers to stay home as we work towards containing COVID-19.

Normal Operations Continue At JUTC Despite Curfew

Posted on by @JIS_webmaster7

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC), wishes to advise the public that we will operate as normal despite the curfew.

This comes in the wake of concerns expressed by our stakeholders following our earlier statement regarding operational changes due to the curfew.

The JUTC wishes to apologize to its valued customers who may have been forced to make alternative plans based on the information sent out yesterda

The company continues to play its part in providing valuable transportation services to the public including members of the essential services.

We will continue to monitor the situation and update the public accordingly.

We urge persons to continue to monitor the media for updates on our operations.

Be safe, be safe, be alert in this COVID-19 pandemic as we all work  to contain the spread of the virus.

This statement supersedes our earlier release yesterday.

JUTC Announces Operational Changes Starting Tomorrow Due To Curfew

Posted on by @JIS_webmaster7

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC), has announced operational changes effective Wednesday, April 1, 2020. This is in light of an island-wide curfew from 8pm to 6am starting tomorrow, to contain the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The curfew is to last for seven days.

Managing Director of the JUTC Paul Abrahams says the curfew will impact all routes, but more so the premium service which operates outside of Kingston. He says the following measures will be implemented tomorrow in accordance with the curfew:

  • The roll-out of buses will start no later than 8a.m.
  • Routes that originate and terminate in Kingston will have a 10-15 minutes headway
  • Portmore routes/out of town routes (Longsville, Clarendon, White Water/Inswood, Old Harbour) will have a headway 30 minutes
  • Hill routes (Above Rocks and Border) including 52, 53, 54, 61 their last run will be at 4:30pm
  • The last available bus will be at 5pm which will allow for drivers on completion of their cycle trip to return back to the depot to conclude their duties and go back home before the curfew deadline.

We will review these measures where necessary and adjust accordingly as we continue to monitor the situation.