120 JUTC Buses to Be Repaired

Cabinet is to approve $45 million for the repair of 120 Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses, which will allow the company to seat more passengers, there by stemming its monthly loss of $58.5 million.

Speaking at the weekly Jamaica House press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, today (February  15), Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, pointed out  that at present, the JUTC operates 300 buses daily, and faces a shortfall of 75 units, making the company unable to meet the commuter seating demand.

“They have no spare buses…they need 375 per day to operate effectively, and they need 420 in all, so that they can have enough spare buses,” she outlined, adding that  the average revenue earned by each bus per day is $30,000, but because of the shortage of buses, there is a shortfall of some $58.5 million per month.

The Minister said the bus company has advised that all repairs should be completed within 16 weeks after the injection of capital.

“After consideration the Cabinet directed that discussion be held with the Ministry of Finance and Planning regarding the disbursement of funds to address the financial challenges faced by the JUTC. That  should be done in short order,” Minister Falconer informed.

By Alphea Saunders, JIS Reporter