ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has suspended all road operations from midday Sunday due to Hurricane Melissa.

The company said the decision was made following careful assessment and consultation with the relevant authorities, and is driven by several critical safety and operational considerations.

According to the JUTC, the first factor influencing the suspension is the increased risk to crew and equipment. Reports of poor visibility, fallen debris and dangerously high levels of water on major roadways have made it unsafe for continued operations.

“The safety of our drivers, conductors and passengers remains our top priority,” the company shared.

The JUTC also pointed to a significant decline in commuter activity, noting that most members of the public have been following the Government’s advice to remain indoors.

As a result, it has recorded a “very low to negligible load factor across several routes, making continued operations impractical”.

The suspension also aligns with the Government’s call for citizens to avoid non-essential travel and for organisations to prioritise the protection of their staff and assets during the passage of the hurricane.

The JUTC assured the public that normal operations will resume as soon as it is deemed safe to do so, based on official guidance from the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).