The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has launched a programme to reward its customers who consistently pay their bills on time and in full.

Dubbed “MyJPS Rewards”, head of marketing at the power company, Tishan Lee, said during the launch on Sunday that, as of Tuesday, customers who pay their bills on time and in full for six consecutive months will automatically become members of the reward programme.

These customers will be able to access discounts from select merchants islandwide.

Lee said the power company is aware of the financial challenges consumers experience monthly.

“We understand that it is not always easy to pay your bills. When you have all the bills in front of you, sometimes you have to make a decision… Much less to pay in full,” Lee noted.

She explained that customers would benefit from the programme by simply presenting their cards, which they will receive in the mail, at participating merchants islandwide.

Customers and merchants from the pilot programme, which began in 2015, attended Sunday’s launch.

“JPS has come a far way. I remember when JPS was the worst of the three (utility) agencies but the service and customer service is excellent (now),” customer Karla Huie shared, adding that there is still room for improvement.

Huie, while noting that her JPS bill is the first utility bill she pays every month, said MyJPS Rewards is long overdue.

“It is always good when you [are] getting value for your money. It (the bill) could be a little bit lower but I think I am getting value for money,” she reasoned.

Huie also suggested that if the energy company continued the programme, they would accumulate a lot of customers who would pay on time.

Another customer, Christine Findlay, said the programme is a good one.

“It is a good initiative, at least they recognised our loyalty to them,” Findlay said, noting that she has been a customer for more than 20 years.

JPS president and Chief Executive Officer Kelly Tomblin, during her address at the launch, said that more customers are paying on time.

While applauding customers, Tomblin said the energy company does not take the honour of serving customers and playing a vital role in their lives for granted.

One merchant, Julian Patrick, commended JPS for the programme saying that it is the best way to drive small and medium enterprises. At the same time, he encouraged small and medium enterprises to partner with JPS.

“The same day we signed up we started to see benefits,” Patrick said.

— Racquel Porter