New JUTC buses for disabled

Others to be retrofitted

Jamaica Observer

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

THE Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has rolled out three new buses, which will be used to serve the disabled community.

The new additions brings to six the number of buses now serving the disabled in Kingston.

JUTC Managing Director Paul Abrahams, said that 55,000 disabled persons are transported yearly on three routes serviced by the JUTC. Abrahams added that while the regular service has designated seats that cater for disabled individuals, the new units will greatly assist in boosting that effort.

"As part of our mandate at the JUTC, we have to ensure that we pay special attention to this operation, which is so greatly needed and in much demand," he said.

Social Affairs Officer at the Combined Disabilities Association, Theresa Grant said that with more buses, children with intellectual disabilities and other individuals will enjoy the benefits of getting to where they want to go on time.

"We are appreciative that the JUTC found it possible, along with the Government, to improve this service and we are indeed looking forward to even more improvement in this area. On behalf of the Combined Disabilities Association, I want to say thanks to the JUTC," Miss Grant said.

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Minister of Transport Mike Henry said that the JUTC will be retrofitting some of the refurbished buses to suit the requirements of the disabled community.

"My job is to make sure that persons who are less fortunate in the society, have access to public transportation to get them home safely," said Henry.

The fleet of buses assigned to the disabled community serve the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre, Lister Mair-Gilby Senior School for the Deaf, Hope Valley Experimental School, the Abilities Foundation, Salvation Army School for the Blind and the School of Hope.