Category: News

JUTC to Convert 610Ex Ocho Rios–Kingston to Regular Route Following Commuter Feedback

JUTC Responds to Incident Involving Student on Rural School Bus in St. Mary

Spanish Town, St. Catherine — The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) confirms that earlier today, November 20, 2025, one of our buses was involved in a tragic incident in the Vineyard Town area, which resulted in the death of a male child.

The matter is now the subject of a police investigation, which is being conducted with the full support and cooperation of the JUTC. We deeply regret this unfortunate incident and express our sincerest condolences to the family of the child whose life was lost.

We wish to reassure the public that the JUTC is:

• Providing all required information and assistance requested by the
• Cooperating fully to ensure a transparent and thorough
• Seeking professional counseling support for the driver and any other affected team members, as incidents of this nature can cause significant emotional distress.
• Continuing to uphold our commitment to safe and reliable service delivery to the people of Jamaica.

We kindly appeal to the public for calm, restraint, and patience as the police carry out their investigations. We also ask that our fellow Jamaicans be empathetic and supportive to our staff as such events can trigger severe anxiety and trauma.

The JUTC will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

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 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.