JUTC begins pilot bus service in Clarendon tomorrow
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Starting Monday, September 4, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) will roll out a rural pilot bus service in sections of Clarendon.
This will see commuters in the parish benefiting from the services of the state-run bus company from Monday to Friday from 5:00 am to 10:00 am; and 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The service routes are May Pen to Old Harbour, May Pen to Lionel Town, and May Pen to Toll Gate.
Minister of Transport and Mining, Mike Henry, said the pilot project is aimed at improving safety, convenience, access and affordability of public transport service in rural areas.
“Rural commuters rely heavily on public transportation. However, we cannot deny that there is a great disparity in the fares charged in rural areas versus the metropolitan areas of Kingston and Montego Bay,” he noted.
He was speaking at the official launch at the ministry’s offices on Maxfield Avenue in Kingston on September 1.
He informed that the fares, which are in keeping with the Transport Authority’s approved rural stage carriage structure are: May Pen/Lionel Town – $120 for adults and $60 for children; Old Harbour/May Pen, $110 for adults and $55 for children; and May Pen/Toll Gate, $80 adults and $40 children.
All routes will terminate at the Denbigh Showground terminal until the designated facility is completed. There will be two buses per route.
Henry informed that the pilot will be integrated into the proposed Rural School Bus Service for Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) students that is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.
“Students not on the PATH will have access to the JUTC smarter card schools along the three routes. This will be a revenue earner for these schools because JUTC top up agents receive a five per cent commission,” he noted.
Henry said the project will be carefully monitored during the six-month implementation phase and will be evaluated in December 2017 and March 2018.
He said the service will ensure more reliable bus schedules and services; and less exposure of children to lewd music and inappropriate behaviours on public transport.
