Spanish Town, St. Catherine – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) is aware of a video currently circulating on social media platform TikTok, posted by user Wayne Mighty, which alleges that passengers travelling on the Ocho Rios Route 611 (Half-Way Tree to Ocho Rios) were asked to pay for a number in order to board the bus.

The JUTC wishes to make it unequivocally clear that no passenger is required to pay for a number or any unofficial fee to board a JUTC bus.

The company has also confirmed that the individual seen in the video collecting money is not an employee or authorized representative of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company.

JUTC operates under strict fare collection procedures through its Electronic Fare Collection System (EFCS), where passengers are only required to pay the approved fare using designated payment methods, including the SmartFare system where applicable. Any request for additional payment outside of the official fare structure is not authorized by the company. The company takes any matter that may affect commuters or the integrity of its services very seriously.

Shantole Thompson, Corporate Communications Manager at JUTC, emphasized that commuters
should be aware that such practices are not part of the company’s operations.

“We want to assure the public that the Jamaica Urban Transit Company does not require passengers to pay for a number or any unofficial fee to board our buses. The only payment required is the approved bus fare through our official systems. The individual seen in the circulating video is not a JUTC employee, and we strongly encourage commuters to report any such activity to the company so that appropriate action can be taken.”

The JUTC remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and fair transportation services for all Jamaicans and continues to encourage commuters to remain vigilant and report any activity that appears inconsistent with the company’s official policies.