KINGSTON, Jamaica–The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has said it understands the frustration being experienced by some of its commuters since the soft launch of its SmartFare card system.

Some commuters are apparently having problems checking/confirming the balance on their card.

“Our team is committed to fixing these issues and making your travel experience smoother and more convenient in the shortest possible time,” said the state-owned bus company in a statement.

The company explained that the transition from the Smarter Cards to the new SmartFare Cards is a major system upgrade designed to enhance efficiency for commuters.

“As with any major upgrade, we acknowledge that there are adjustments to be made, and the team is actively working to improve your experience. We know how important it is for you to check your card balance easily”.

The company is moving to implement the following solutions:

-Commuters will soon be able to check their SmartFare balance quickly and easily at kiosks installed at JUTC ticket offices.

-A SmartFare mobile app is being developed which will allow commuters to check their balance anytime, anywhere, right from their phone.

-Visits to any SmartFare top-up locations will allow commuters to check their balance before adding funds.

“Our mandate is to provide seamless transportation from one point to the next, ensuring that no passenger is ever left behind. With the account-based SmartFare card, you can still board the bus even if your balance is low. The system will record the fare, and once you top up, the amount will be deducted automatically,” JUTC said.

It has promised to provide updates to keep commuters informed of improvements as its team works diligently to refine the system.