KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) Limited has unveiled its new SmartFare system, which seeks to improve operational efficiency and eliminate the need for cash transactions.

The JUTC has outfitted all its buses with SmartFare systems.

Launched on Tuesday at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre in Kingston, the system uses state-of-the-art technology to enable passengers to utilise a cashless system to pay their fares.

The launch also introduced the JUTC’s Ride Right with SmartFare public education campaign, aimed at encouraging responsible commuting habits and creating a better commuting culture that benefits passengers and the wider transport system.

Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Daryl Vaz, said it (SmartFare) is one of several initiatives being employed by the company to usher in a new, efficient, transparent, and convenient service for the thousands of commuters who rely on the JUTC daily.

“Ride Right with SmartFare is more than a technological upgrade. It is a forward step in our commitment to better serve the commuters of Jamaica. For years, the JUTC has operated on a fare-run system. However, it has now reached the end of its life cycle, with service parts for ticket machines no longer available. This has left us with a critical decision to continue struggling with an outdated system or to invest in a solution that will bring lasting benefits. We have chosen the latter,” he said.

Minister Vaz said SmartFare represents a leap forward in the public transportation system.

“SmartFare is cloud-based and accessible by any web browser. This means that vendors can access the system through PCs, tablets, or mobile devices, expanding availability and making transactions more seamless,” he noted.

Minister Vaz said another improvement is the transition from a card-based transaction system to an account-based transaction system.

This eliminates the need for specialised equipment to process cards and top-ups, making it easier for commuters to add funds and check their balances.

“With multiple top-up options at the JUTC ticket offices, external vendors, the upcoming mobile app, and even through third-party payment systems, commuters now have greater flexibility,” the minister said.

The SmartFare mobile app will allow commuters to check their ride history, account balance, and even pay fares directly from their mobile devices.

Vaz underscored that one of the long-standing challenges within the JUTC has been revenue leakage, particularly from cash transactions, emphasising that the SmartFare system will significantly reduce cash handling, thereby closing loopholes that allow for revenue loss.

“This ensures that every dollar spent by commuters goes towards improving the service and expanding the JUTC work,” he added.

Since the start of February 2025, the JUTC has activated 39,305 cards catering to various categories of commuters – adults, 16,903; children, 2,047; persons with disabilities, 865; seniors, 13,919; and students, 5,571.

Minister Vaz encouraged commuters to share their feedback and work with the JUTC to refine the system for the benefit of all and to improve public transportation for generations to come.

–          JIS