#TrackingMatthew: JUTC to terminate services at six o’clock
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is advising the public that their services will be terminated at approximately 6:00 pm today, due to the current projections of the passage of Hurricane Matthew.
In a news release early Sunday morning, JUTC said that commuters within the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR) are being urged to avail themselves of the publicly operated bus service within reasonable time to get to their various destinations ahead of the planned cut-off time.
“The timing for the resumption of the commuter service is directly related to the time frame and impact of the passage of the hurricane, and clearance from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other relevant authorities that it is safe to do so,” JUTC said.
Additionally, JUTC has said that the normal SmarterCard top-up services from mobile units will not be available on Sunday as a result of preparatory work the company is engaged in ahead of the expected arrival of the hurricane.
“Notably, prior to and immediately after the passage of the system, the JUTC is likely to be called upon by ODPEM, through the National Emergency Centre, for assistance to evacuate distressed persons from challenged circumstances at various locations across the country,” JUTC stated, adding that preparation for this broad public responsibility role is part of the organisational work which the company is engaged in ahead of the arrival of the hurricane.
In the meantime, JUTC is urging the public to focus heavily on remaining safe and upbeat during the passage of the hurricane.