Kingston, Jamaica: August 17, 2021
One thousand employees of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) are now being trained
to help with the recovery of missing children through a partnership with the Child Protection and
Family Services Agency’s (CPFSA) Ananda Alert Secretariat.
Under the initiative, drivers, conductors and dispatchers will be trained in identifying signs of
child abuse, categories of missing children, identifying children who may be at-risk (runaways,
abducted, otherwise exploited), handling incidents and making reports.
Chief Executive Officer at the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Rosalee
Gage-Grey, said the partnership with JUTC is the first in a series of trainings by the Ananda
Alert Secretariat to sensitize workers in the transport sector about missing children and the role
they can play in the recovery process.
Mrs. Gage-Grey added that the partnership was also developed in recognition of the need to
embrace new strategies and synergies that aid in the safe and speedy recovery of missing
children.
“The Ananda Alert Programme has a four-pronged approach: prevention, recovery, intervention
and knowledge sharing. The transport sector is well-poised to assist us in much of these areas,
but particularly the recovery aspect. Children take buses and taxis every day. Therefore, we
believe that the partnership with the transport sector will greatly aid in our efforts to locate
missing children and even further our prevention efforts,” Mrs. Gage-Grey said.
Meanwhile, JUTC’s Managing Director Paul Abrahams said the partnership was quite timely as
there is an urgent need for Jamaicans to protect the nation’s children.
“At the JUTC, we care about the well-being of the nation’s children. This partnership involving
our frontline team will mean more eyes and ears to identify incidents of child abuse and to
recover missing children with our wide network of drivers and dispatchers. Our children are our
future and we must do everything we can to protect them,” Mr. Abrahams said.
Last year, 1,066 children were reported missing with 843 located; a decrease from 2019 where
1,534 children were reported missing with 1,072 located.
Mrs. Gage-Grey said the numbers are still a cause for great concern as any missing child is a
child in need of care and protection.
Operated by CPFSA’s National Children’s Registry, the Ananda Alert Secretariat, established in
2009, has responsibility for the implementation of missing children interventions and
coordinating of stakeholders in the Ananda Alert system.
Category: News
Several People Injured in Motor Vehicle Crash Involving JUTC Bus And White Station Wagon
The Jamaica Constabulary Force is investigating a motor vehicle crash involving a white station wagon and a Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus, which has left several persons injured.
The incident took place around 8:25 this morning along Lakes Pen Road, in the vicinity of the Wisynco plant in Lakes Pen, St. Catherine.
Preliminary reports indicate that the bus driver was transporting staff to the Advanced Driver Training Centre, ADTC, and on his approach to the entrance to the ADTC he indicated to turn right to access the premises. It’s reported that the vehicles behind reduced their speed in anticipation of the bus turn.
However, while the bus was turning, it’s understood that a white station wagon overtook a line of traffic and collided with the right side of the bus.
As a result of the impact, the JUTC driver along with passengers aboard the bus was injured and the four occupants of the white station wagon were also injured.
The injured persons were taken to hospital and the police called to the scene.
JUTC Discounts Fees and Grants Sub-franchise Operators Extension to Pay Road Licenses
Following consultation with the Honourable Minister of Transport and Mining, Robert Montague, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited, JUTC, has granted sub-franchise operators until the May 14, 2021, to pay their road license fees. The fees became due on March 31st.
“We are mindful of the impact that COVID-19 has had on the operations of the transport sector and we felt it was important to signal to our stakeholders that we are in this together” said Corporate Communications Manager, Cecil Thoms.
Mr. Thoms said sub-franchise operators will not only be given an extension but that they will also benefit from a fifteen percent (15%) discount in fees. “This must be seen as a continuation of our efforts to empathize with operators as last year we discounted fees by twenty percent (20%) and have done so again this year with a further 15% discount. It is a challenging time for every business operator and we are playing our part, ensuring that people’s livelihoods are not disrupted.”
We are also reminding sub-franchise operators to clear outstanding balances to be able to renew their road licenses.
In the meantime, the Corporate Communications Manager is encouraging transport operators to get vaccinated by registering on the online portal of the Ministry of Health and Wellness at www.moh.gov.jm or call the National Vaccination Hotline at 888-ONE LOVE (888-663-5683).
JUTC to Provide Reduced Service on Weekends of Curfew and Easter Holiday Period
The Jamaica Urban Transit Company, JUTC, will be operating a reduced service for essential and frontline staff on the weekends of the curfew and during the Easter holiday period. This follows recent adjustments to the curfew hours by the government to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Corporate Communications Manager Cecil Thoms said “the JUTC will provide normal service during 5am to 8pm, on weekdays. However, the Company will provide reduced service on the weekends of the curfew and the Easter holiday period.” He added that schedules are posted on the bus company’s website and social media pages.
“Commuters can view the schedules at our website at jutc.gov.jm or they may view the schedules on our Facebook page at Jamaica Urban Transit Company or on Twitter @JUTCLTD. We encourage commuters to familiarize themselves with the schedules. Should our commuters have any query or concerns, they may also call our Customer Care team at 888-588-2287 or our REPORT IT hotline at 876-570-1789,” Mr. Thoms said.
Meanwhile, the Corporate Communications Manager is also taking this opportunity to appeal to customers to continue to wear their masks for the entire length of their journey when using public transportation. He says while there has been an appreciable increase in mask wearing, the JUTC has noticed a trend that upon entering the bus, customers tend to uncover their nose or take off the mask completely.
“We are appealing to customers to desist from this practice. Keep your mask on, ensuring that it covers your nose and mouth and wear it for the full length of your journey until you get home. We want you to keep safe and be alive,” Mr.Thoms said.
Cyclist Hit and Injured by JUTC Bus
The Police are probing an incident involving one of our units in which a cyclist was hit and injured along Hagley Park Road/ Waltham Park Road intersection in St. Andrew this morning.
It is understood that the incident happened around 11:25a.m. The details of the incident are not yet known but investigations have been launched by the Police and the Accident Department of the Company.
The cyclist was taken to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
Meanwhile, the driver of the bus who fainted at the scene was also taken to hospital. She will be provided with counselling.
We wish both of them a speedy recovery.