MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (JIS) — The Management of Montego Bay Metro Bus Company says they are on a mission to ensure that it becomes the transportation of choice for citizens in St James as well as the adjoining parishes of Hanover and Trelawny.

With 18, 46-seater Volvo buses and a staff complement of more than 50, inclusive of five female drivers, the bus company runs a tight ship, operating from 5:00 am to midnight Mondays to Saturdays.

Chairman of Montego Bay Metro, Robin Russell, told JIS News that despite having an aged fleet, the service provided by the bus company continues to be efficient and professional, catering to citizens of all sectors from the three western parishes.

He noted, however, that the company needs new units in order to ensure that it can continue to deliver safe and quality service to the commuting public, including school children, who make up a large part of its operations.  

“Part of what we are looking at right now is to see if we can purchase the buses ourselves and allow them to pay for themselves without going into Government coffers. We are exploring different revenue streams, such as increasing our charter service,” he says.

Other earning options being looked at include offering a Sunday service and expanding operations to underserved areas.  

 “There are many routes that need the lift that we carry. Our buses carry a lot more people.  Our Falmouth and Wakefield routes are still not fully utilised. I think MoBay needs easily another 10 buses,” he pointed out.

As the company awaits the acquisition of new units, a partnership has been forged with the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) for the sourcing of spare parts.

 “They are going to assist us in purchasing spare parts from them or utilising spare parts they have in excess,” Russell said.

Acting General Manager of Montego Bay Metro, Halden Samuels, says the company has a good reputation, which he credits to its ongoing customer-service programme.

He explained that employees have bought into the company’s philosophy of offering quality and professional service and have been making positive contributions to its development.

Human Resources Manager, Kay Francis, said that Montego Bay Metro is known as a people-friendly company, and employees are required to always display the highest level of professionalism.

“It is a growing company, and it is one of the best. This is the public-transportation sector for the western region, and we are known by the public as the best and safest public-transportation company in the west,” she said.

 “We are aspiring to be the transportation of choice by ensuring that our employees offer the best customer service, have the best skill sets, and are the most knowledgeable. We are professional, and we ask our staff members to be ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen,” Francis added.