KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) is clarifying that passengers travelling on the Ocho Rios Route 511 (Half-Way Tree to Ocho Rios) do not have to pay for boarding numbers.

In a statement on Monday, the JUTC said it is aware of a video, currently circulating on TikTok, which alleges that passengers were asked to pay for a number in order to board the bus.

“No passenger is required to pay for a number or any unofficial fee to board a JUTC bus. The company has also confirmed that the individual seen in the video collecting money is not an employee or authorised representative of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company,”  the company said.

The JUTC also noted that the matter has been reported to the Jamaica Constabulary Force, which has indicated that immediate action will be taken.

It added that the JUTC operates under strict fare collection procedures through its Electronic Fare Collection System (EFCS), where passengers are only required to pay the approved fare using designated payment methods, including the SmartFare system, where applicable.

“Any request for additional payment outside of the official fare structure is not authorised by the company. The company takes any matter that may affect commuters or the integrity of its services very seriously,” the company said.

Shantole Thompson, corporate communications manager at the JUTC, emphasised that commuters should be aware that such practices are not part of the company’s operations.

“We want to assure the public that the Jamaica Urban Transit Company does not require passengers to pay for a number or any unofficial fee to board our buses. The only payment required is the approved bus fare through our official systems. The individual seen in the circulating video is not a JUTC employee,” she said.

Thompson encouraged commuters to report any such activity to the company so that appropriate action can be taken.