KINGSTON, Jamaica – The State-run Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has saved $31.3 million due to its ongoing efforts to combat fuel theft within the organisation.

Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Daryl Vaz, made the disclosure while addressing a press conference at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre in St Andrew on Tuesday during which he highlighted the longstanding issue of fuel theft, specifically Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD), at the JUTC.

Vaz presented comparative data indicating a gradual reduction in fuel theft as reflected in replacement order volumes, following the implementation of anti-theft measures.

These are as follows: November 2024 – 219,254 litres; December 2024 – 250,570 litres; January 2025 – 219,254 litres; and February 2025 – 93,600 litres.

“The savings between February of 93,600 litres and the highest, which was 250,570 litres in December, is a savings to the JUTC and, by extension, the taxpayers of Jamaica of $31,394,000,” the minister indicated.

The estimated market value of ULSD stolen from the JUTC’s Spanish Town Depot in St Catherine reaches up to $26,845,600 per month. Over a 12-month period, this sustained fuel theft could cost taxpayers a staggering $322,147,200.

“To cauterise the illegal activity, in January the JUTC executed joint operations with the Spanish Town police, which resulted in multiple seizures of stolen diesel oil and made significant arrests,” he said.

Minister Vaz informed that the interventions included intelligence gathering, new and strict bus dispatch procedures, 24-hour police deployment at the depot and ongoing operational collaborations with the police.

“The joint operations have significantly disrupted fuel theft, resulting in a substantial drop in the take-on of ULSD at the Spanish Town Depot for February 2025, compared to previous months. These deliberate actions by the JUTC and the police to disrupt fuel theft will save Jamaican taxpayers millions of dollars,” he added.

–         JIS