Students Urged to Collect Smarter Cards This Week

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is urging students to collect their smarter cards this week, in time for the beginning of the new school year.

The bus company currently has cards for students from schools in Kingston and St. Andrew.

As of Monday, September 1, concessionary passengers, including students, will only be able to pay their fare on JUTC buses using their smarter cards. Students without the card will be required to pay the full $120.

“What we are asking the students to do is to go by our centres and get their cards. Those who have already signed up with us, but didn’t get the cards before they went off on holiday and those who have already had their cards, we are saying to them go and top it up in preparation for Monday morning,” said Marketing and Communications Manager at the JUTC, Clinton Clarke.

Since Sunday, August 24, commuters started paying the approved fare increases of: $120 for adults, up from $100; $30 for students and the disabled, up from $20; and $40 for senior citizens, up from $20.

The smarter cards are available at the JUTC’s East Parade office, downtown Kingston; Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre, St. Andrew; and the Spanish Town lay-by, St. Catherine.

Introduction of the electronic fare collection system forms part of measures to stop revenue leakage at the JUTC.

It will also foster greater efficiency in the processing of commuters boarding the buses, and allow for bus crews to focus on safer driving practices and improved customer service.