SEVERAL passengers of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) yesterday threatened to boycott use of the state-owned bus service in protest of the company’s decision to end its transfer system.

The JUTC, through a series of notices, had informed commuters that the transfer system would be discontinued effective Sunday, November 10. It however extended the time by one week to give peple time to adjust, but yesterday, many complained that the change caught them unprepared.

“The reality has left me in shock. I heard about the changes but now that I am facing the situation. I don’t think I will continue to use the service,” said Maurine Reed.

The Kingston resident, who stood at the front of the Half Way Tree Transport Centre contemplating her next move as she learnt she would have to pay an extra $100 to get to work in downtown Kingston was one of several who publicly voiced their displeasure.

“If this is how it is going to be, it is best I resort to the use of the taxis,” said Reid.

And she was not alone.

“This is totally foolishness. I don’t think I will be able to cope with this new change,” said Kerry-Ann Miller, a commuter from Spanish Town, St Catherine.

Miller was supported by her friend Tracy Ann Gentles who was adamant that she would be finding other alternatives to the state-owned bus service.

“I will definitely be looking at other means to travel around in place of what is now offered by the JUTC,” said Gentles.

Melvin Berry, another commuter, said the changes were sure to turn away customers.

The situation was particularly challenging for pensioner Lawrence Smith.

“This change will really place a strain on my daily travels,” said Smith.

The Ziadie Gardens resident said he will now be forced to fork out additional funds to take a journey that would normally cost him $20.

For people like Charmaine Hughes of Portmore, however, it’s not the additional fare that will drive commuters away, it’s what she described as poor customer service.

“There needs to be major improvement in the quality of the customer service at the company. The quality of service offered continues to turn away people from the company,” said Hughes.

“Imagine, with all of the changes taking place I came to the Half Way Tree centre seeking to get attention and I am disappointed with the poor level of communication provided,” she added.

JUTC Managing Director Colin Campbell, in a Jamaica Observer report last week, insisted that plans by the state-owned bus company to discontinue bus transfers would go ahead as planned as it was one of several changes that would be implemented to boost the cash-strapped company’s revenues.

JUTC said the system was costing the company some $500,000 per day.

“What we are doing is, we are merely trying to tighten up the system,” Campbell told the Observer then.

He also appealed for public support of the changes, and said alternatives would be put in place to address commuters’ concerns.

Campbell said the company had received reports that some employees were abusing the system to the point where management was forced to call in the fraud squad to investigate cases of bus crews using bogus and used tickets, issuing concessionary tickets to passengers paying full fares, as well as larceny of the company’s cash.