MANAGING Director of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), Colin Campbell, says the bus company currently has no excuse for not providing commuters with the required number of buses in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region.

Speaking at the recent handing-over ceremony for 73 buses by Volvo dealer JR Wellington Import-Export Corporation (JR Group) Ltd, Campbell cited the implementation of a proper preventive maintenance and inspection programme and improvement of the human resources as the reasons for his declaration.

“We are experiencing approximately 30 per cent increase in our fare income, based on the reform process and the increased roll-out of buses,” he said.

He explained that it was the intervention of Minister of Transport, Works and Housing Dr Omar Davies — who renegotiated aspects of the VDL Jonkheere (Volvo) contract shortly after assuming portfolio responsibility for Transport in 2012 — which resulted in the acquisition of a significant number of new spare parts.

“It is important to have a robust maintenance programme. Since renegotiation of the loan, JUTC has brought in 18 containers of new spare parts which has helped us to manage and maintain the fleet at a certain quality,” he said.

“Less than a year ago, we were inspecting about 70 per cent of our buses… we are now inspecting and have in preventive maintenance, over 90 per cent of our fleet,” he added.

Campbell said the company has beefed up its human resources in the maintenance department with the employment of 20 mechanics, a chief mechanic, a fleet assurance manager, and a Volvo expert from Europe.

Of the 73 buses delivered by JR Group Ltd, 69 will be handed over to the JUTC and four to Montego Bay Metro, which operates in the second city.

The units delivered are the fifth tranche of 230 buses which were secured under a Euro100-million programme, which was implemented with the assistance of the Belgian government.

The final delivery of 17 regular buses and 10 luxury premium coaches will be made in April 2015.

— JIS