ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) officially launched its Rural Express Routes on October 1, 2025, expanding premium inter-city travel options for Jamaicans.

The new routes connect Kingston to Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Mandeville, and May Pen.

To commemorate the milestone, the JUTC hosted a special send-off ceremony at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre.

The event was attended by Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Daryl Vaz, along with popular Jamaican social media travel bloggers and students from the University of the West Indies, the University of Technology, and the Caribbean Maritime University, who journeyed to Ocho Rios aboard one of JUTC’s luxury coach buses to experience the new service firsthand.

Speaking at the ceremony, Owen Ellington, managing director of the JUTC, emphasised the company’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

“The Rural Express Service marks a new chapter for JUTC. Our aim is to deliver reliable, safe, and comfortable inter-city travel for Jamaicans who deserve world-class service at an affordable price. This is only the beginning, and we remain committed to expanding access while improving the travel experience for all,” he said.

One of the invited travel bloggers also shared their excitement about the launch.