Category: News

Spanish Town, St. Catherine – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) is appealing to parents and guardians whose children wish to use the Rural School Bus Programme to register for the fare payment card ahead of the November 1, 2025, transition to a cashless system.

Since the inception of the programme, the service has been offered free of charge. However, beginning November 1, 2025, the JUTC will begin applying a fare for the service. The only approved method of payment for the Rural School Bus will be cashless, through the electronic fare payment card that students are required to register for.

Parents can complete registration in one of two convenient ways:

1. Online:Visit https://jamaica-district.mysmartterm.com/bus-portal/registration to complete the registration form electronically.
2. Offline: Bus drivers will distribute printed registration forms to Parents are asked to complete these forms and return them to the school’s principal or the designated administrative personnel assisting with the process.

The programme currently transports an average of 16,600 students daily, yet only about 4,900 have completed registration so far. With just a short time remaining before the transition, the JUTC is urging parents to register their children as soon as possible to avoid disruption in service.

The JUTC also notes that registration for the fare payment card will remain an ongoing process, as the company continues to expand and strengthen the Rural School Bus Programme over the next two years.

 

Spanish Town, St. Catherine — The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is pleased to announce that all students will be able to ride free of cost on JUTC buses from September through October 2025. Students are required to present a valid school identification card or be dressed in their school uniform to benefit from this initiative.

This special provision forms part of the Company’s ongoing efforts to ease the financial burden on parents and guardians at the start of the new academic year, while also reinforcing JUTC’s commitment to education and national development.

“The JUTC is not just in the business of transportation; we are in the business of nation building. By supporting our students, we are making a direct investment in Jamaica’s future. Providing free rides during this critical back-to-school period reduces stress on families and ensures that every child has access to safe, reliable, and comfortable transportation to and from school,” said Owen Ellington, Managing Director of JUTC.

The initiative is expected to positively impact thousands of students across the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR) and beyond, encouraging punctuality, reducing absenteeism, and contributing to a smoother school term. The JUTC remains dedicated to serving the Jamaican public with affordable and dependable transportation solutions. By placing commuters at the heart of its operations, the Company continues to create meaningful initiatives that strengthen communities and support the nation’s growth.

Contact Information
Shantole Thompson
Corporate Communications Manager Email: [email protected] Telephone: 876-866-7294

Spanish Town, St. Catherine – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) is pleased to announce the introduction of a new bus route, Route #9, effective March 24, 2025. This new route will provide a reliable and convenient transportation option for commuters traveling between Naggo Head and Spanish Town.

 

Route Details: 

• Route Number: 9
• Route Name: Naggo Head to Spanish Town

 

Fare Structure: 

• Adults: $50.00 (SmartFare Card) | $100.00 (Cash)
• Concession 1 (Seniors): $25.00
• Concession 2 (Children, Students, Disabled): $20.00

 

Departure Schedule: 

Naggo Head (Depart): 5:45am, 7:03am, 8:21am, 9:39am, 10:57am, 12:15pm, 2:00pm, 3:18pm, 4:36pm, 5:54pm, 7:12pm and 8:32pm 

Spanish Town (Depart): 6:24am, 7:42am, 9:00am, 10:18am, 11:36am, 12:54pm, 2:39pm, 3:57pm, 5:15pm, 6:33pm, 7:52pm, 9:12pm

 

Shantole Thompson, Corporate and Communications Manager at JUTC, stated, “We are excited to introduce Route #9 as part of our commitment to improving transportation for our customers. This route will provide a seamless and affordable travel option between Naggo Head and Spanish Town.”

This new route is part of JUTC’s ongoing efforts to enhance public transportation by increasing connectivity and convenience for commuters.

 

Contact Information

Shantole Thompson

Corporate Communications Manager Email: [email protected] Telephone: 876-866-7294

Spanish Town, St. Catherine — The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Premium Route 311, which will officially commence operations on Monday, March 10, 2025. This premium service will provide commuters with a more convenient and direct transit option between Catherine Estates and Cross Roads, via Half Way Tree and New Kingston.

Premium Route 311 aims to enhance the commuting experience by offering affordable and comfortable transportation for passengers traveling along this key corridor. The service will operate during peak hours, with departures from Catherine Estates at 5:45 a.m. and from Cross Roads at 5:15 p.m. Commuters using their SmartFare cards will enjoy a competitive fare of $200.

Corporate Communications Manager at JUTC, Shantole Thompson, expressed enthusiasm about the new service, stating, “We are committed to improving the daily commute for our passengers by introducing reliable and efficient transit options. The launch of Route 311 is in response to the growing demand for premium service in this area. This route will provide a seamless and comfortable journey, especially for professionals and daily commuters who need a hassle-free way to travel between these key locations.”

She further emphasized JUTC’s dedication to customer satisfaction, adding, “We continue to explore new ways to enhance the public transportation experience. By leveraging technology, such as our SmartFare card system, and introducing more premium routes, we are ensuring that our commuters have access to affordable and convenient transportation solutions.”

JUTC encourages commuters to take advantage of this new service and reminds passengers to utilize their SmartFare cards for easy and cashless travel.

For more information, customers can visit the JUTC website at www.jutc.gov.jm or follow JUTC’s official social media pages for updates.

 

Contact Information

Shantole Thompson

Corporate Communications Manager Email: [email protected] Telephone: 876-866-7294

Spanish Town, St. Catherine – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) and the University and Allied Workers’ Union (UAWU), representing the drivers who took strike action today, have reached an agreement at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MOLSS), leading to an immediate resolution of the industrial action. As a result, normal work operations will resume at 5:00 PM today.

JUTC remains committed to open dialogue and constructive discussions regarding the concerns raised. In this regard, a follow-up meeting has been scheduled with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on March 7, 2025, to further address outstanding matters.

“We are pleased to have reached an amicable resolution that allows us to resume normal operations for the benefit of the commuting public. JUTC values our employees and remains committed to addressing their concerns fairly and transparently,” said Shantole Thompson, Corporate and Communications Manager of JUTC.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of the commuting public and regret any inconvenience caused during this period of disruption. JUTC remains steadfast in its commitment to providing safe and efficient public transportation for all Jamaicans.

Contact Information

Shantole Thompson

Corporate Communications Manager

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 876-866-7294