TRANSPORT Minister Daryl Vaz has applauded the management of Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) and the police for the continuing success in reducing fuel theft at the State-owned bus company.

Last week JUTC reported that its fuel bill had been reduced by almost $90 million in the two-month period between January and March as efforts to reduce fuel theft were ramped up.

“This is definitely a move in the right direction and I have charged the leadership of the JUTC to not let up. This has been happening unabated for decades, which is downright unacceptable and will not continue under my watch,” a tough-talking Vaz told the Jamaica Observer on Sunday.

“It cannot be that unscrupulous people are allowed to rob taxpayers of millions of dollars through the theft of fuel from the JUTC, and we are determined to stamp this out, and the police are helping to detect, arrest and charge the persons involved.

“They will be taken before the courts and we expect that they will feel the full force of the law as the police are building solid cases against them,” added Vaz as he pointed to the arrest of two JUTC drivers last month.

The two drivers, 34-year-old Shavay “Shabb” Brown and 38-year-old Dushaine “Shaine” Brown, were charged with multiple counts of simple larceny following separate incidents involving the theft of fuel from the company.

The police reported that on two occasions Shavay Brown is alleged to have diverted a JUTC bus to Chesterfield Drive in St Andrew, where he extracted 100 litres of fuel.

On March 13 the JUTC bus he operated was intercepted after leaving the location where the fuel was extracted. Following an interview on Monday, March 17, he was charged with two counts of simple larceny.

Meanwhile, Dushaine Brown was arrested on Thursday, March 20 after it was revealed that on February 17, 20, and 23 he allegedly diverted a JUTC bus to locations in Spanish Town where more than 500 litres of fuel were extracted. He was charged with three counts of simple larceny.

The Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigations Branch (C-TOC) has since launched an investigation to determine if the incidents were linked to organised criminal elements.

“Fuel theft on this scale represents a significant loss to the economy and ultimately impacts all tax-paying citizens,” said Superintendent Victor Barrett of C-TOC.

“We are committed to dismantling these criminal networks and ensuring the protection of public resources. We are actively pursuing all leads and anticipate further arrests as the investigation progresses,” added Barrett.

In a media release last week the JUTC reported a significant breakthrough in reducing unauthorised use of ultra-low-sulphur diesel fuel at its Rockfort and Spanish Town depots.

According to the JUTC, between December 2024 and March 2025, fuel consumption across the two depots declined sharply. At the Spanish Town Depot, March 2025 figures show usage of 95,466 litres, down from 254,576 litres in January — a reduction of 158,534 litres.

Similarly, the Rockfort Depot saw fuel consumption fall to 158,650 litres in March, down from 223,598 litres in December, a reduction of more than 64,000 litres.

“This success follows months of targeted operational reforms and joint initiatives between the JUTC, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and in particular the Spanish Town police and C-TOC. Their combined efforts have resulted in multiple arrests and seizures of stolen diesel oil, helping to disrupt illegal activities, and reinforce fuel security at the depots,” said JUTC Acting Managing Director Owen Ellington.

“This is a proud moment for the JUTC. It shows that with the right systems, accountability, and support from our law enforcement partners, we can protect public assets and restore confidence in our operations. The results speak volumes, and we will continue to build on this momentum,” added Ellington.

He said JUTC anticipates that, should this trend continue, it will meet or exceed its goal of achieving a 50 per cent reduction in fuel usage, marking a major milestone in operational efficiency and cost savings.

“This accomplishment underscores the JUTC’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and safeguarding public resources, as it works towards delivering a safer, more reliable public transportation service for Jamaicans,” declared Ellington.

ELLINGTON… this is a proud moment for the JUTC. It shows that with the right systems, accountability, and support from our law enforcement partners, we can protect public assets and restore confidence in our operations

The JUTC has reported that between December 2024 and March 2025, fuel consumption across the two depots declined sharply.