Taxi operators who ply the Greater Portmore to Portmore Mall route in St Catherine say their livelihoods are being threatened by the introduction of competing state-operated bus services at half their prices and cheaper.

The cabbies told Observer Online that the new Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) route 14 and 14B bus routes have significantly reduced their passenger numbers, leaving them waiting long periods to find commuters, and income.

“It take away a portion of the work because when the bus them come here so, all two, three, car load a passengers gone inna them,” said Richard Jones, otherwise known as “Boysie,” who operates on the Greater Portmore route.

“We have to a run up and down to get two passengers. Sometimes we are here one whole hour or half hour before we get two passengers,” he added.

Jones believes it was a foul move by the Government to introduce the new bus services following the granting of the long-delayed 16 per cent fare increase for public passenger vehicles (PPVs), which took full effect on July 1, 2026.

“The fare rise and them send the JUTC bus on the route. But nuff man a complain, them a say them [JUTC buses] are going to destroy them,” Jones said.

Following the increase, taxi fares on the route jumped from $170 to approximately $200 per passenger, dwarfing the rates under the JUTC fare structure, which sees adults using a Smart Card paying $50, while those paying cash are charged $100 (children pay $20 and pensioners pay $25).

Indeed, according to the JUTC Portmore Depot in an advisory, the new 14 and 14B routes officially commenced on July 1, 2026, to meet the demands of commuters following what it described as a significant shift to JUTC services after the first phase of the taxi fare increase on June 2, 2026.

“This new service was developed following analysis of passenger travel patterns after the taxi fare increase of June 2, 2026, which suggested a significant shift of commuters to JUTC services,” the company said. “With another taxi fare increase taking effect on July 1, we anticipate even greater demand, and JUTC is responding proactively.”

The new bus routes operate Monday to Saturday between 9 am and 5 pm.

The Portmore Depot said two buses will operate continuously throughout the day. One bus will travel via the route 20 corridor while the other operates via the route 17 corridor, providing clockwise and counterclockwise movement around the municipality.

It said the expected round-trip time is approximately 45 minutes, which will ensure frequent and dependable service. The Portmore Depot noted that Portmore Mall will serve as an embarking and disembarking point only and not as a terminal stop, allowing for quicker passenger movement and improved service efficiency.

“As summer activity increases across Portmore, Routes 14 & 14B are expected to become an essential transportation link for residents, shoppers, students and employees travelling between the municipality’s major commercial and residential communities,” the Portmore Depot said.

It further said it envisions the routes becoming a practical alternative for private motor vehicle owners who are seeking to reduce fuel costs, traffic stress and parking challenges while enjoying safe and dependable public transportation.

However, the taxi operators say the new JUTC services are driving them out of business.

“People ago sit down and wait on it [JUTC bus], so what ago happen to the taxi work,” said one frustrated taxi operator who identified himself only as Dare. “Them pressure us to put on this and put on that. All them a do a pressure us. Where we get the little money from to do what them want us to do.”

He described the move as “unfair,” arguing that taxi operators are already under financial pressure and that the added competition will make it even harder to provide for their families.

“What’s going to happen? The society is going to break down, and they don’t remember that it’s the small man that caused the economy to grow. If the small man doesn’t have any money to spend, the economy can’t grow because the big man not going to support you,” he said.