The Minister of Transport and Mining, Audley Shaw, says 70 new buses will be added to the ageing fleet of the state-owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) during the current fiscal year which started April 1.

Shaw said the problem-plagued company will also pursue alternative fuels as part of its cost-saving measures. He said the first 50 buses will include five electric vehicles and 45 that are diesel operated.

He made the announcements during his recent contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

“The procurement of the 50 new buses has received full approval and the award notification has been issued to the supplier. This means all is in place for the delivery of the buses to commence within the financial year,” said Shaw.

He said the fleet will also benefit from the addition of a further 20 Golden Dragon CNG (compressed natural gas) buses under the expansion of the Natural Gas Project, in partnership with the New Fortress Energy Company.

“This follows on from the pilot project which commenced in September 2019,” the minister noted.

He acknowledged that the 70 new buses are not enough to satisfy the demand for seats in the areas served by the JUTC but said it was a start, with the ultimate aim being to purchase 400 buses.

Shaw said that in addition to diversifying the fleet with electric and CNG-powered buses, the JUTC will commence testing the use of biodiesel with a view of expanding to the full complement of diesel-operated units in the fleet.