Category: News

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

Posted on by @JIS_webmaster7

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.

Corporate Communications Manager, Cecil Thoms, says a team comprising our Service Planning, Accident, Training Departments, as well as the Above Rocks Police and members of the community, went in search of a more appropriate point for the turnaround of buses.

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 @JIS_webmaster7

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.

 

Corporate Communications Manager, Cecil Thoms, says the weight and vibration of the bus when passing this area could contribute to a further collapsing of the road.

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.

Sub-Franchise Operators Granted Extension to Pay Road Licenses

Posted on by @JIS_webmaster7

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 @JIS_webmaster7

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.