JUTC Hosts SmartFare Card Activation Drive in St. Thomas
By: , February 5, 2026
Photo: Glen-Wayde Brown
Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) Marketing and Sales Manager, Nathalia Palomino (standing), and her team at the SmartFare card activation drive held in Yallahs, St. Thomas, on Saturday (January 31). She is joined by (from left), Revenue Agent, Lorraine Vassell; Kerri-Ann Hudson and Senior Revenue Agent, Sophia Edwards-Needham; and Business Development Officer, Chantal Rodgers (background right).
Photo: Glen-Wayde Brown
Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) Revenue Agent, Kerri-Ann Hudson (seated right), assists a commuter in topping up his card, during the JUTC SmartFare card activation drive held in Yallahs, St. Thomas, on Saturday (January 31). Partially hidden is Revenue Agent, Lorraine Vassell.The Full Story
The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has taken its SmartFare card activation drive to St. Thomas, encouraging commuters to sign up for the convenient, cashless service.
The SmartFare card is JUTC’s modern payment system, replacing older cards and cash with a simple tap-on, tap-off functionality.
It features an account-based system that allows for easier top-ups, balance checks via mobile app or kiosks, and dedicated cards for adults and concessionary riders.
The system was officially launched in March 2025.
The first of three pop-up events for St. Thomas was held at Poor Man’s Corner in Yallahs on Saturday (January 31).
Residents were engaged at Cheap Cheap Wholesale, which will serve as one of the locations where JUTC customers can sign up and top-up their SmartFare cards.
Marketing and Sales Manager, Nathalia Palomino, who spoke with JIS News, explained the purpose of the activation drive.
“Our aim here is to distribute and top up SmartFare cards and also to inform the people of Yallahs that they can come to Cheap Cheap Supermarket and get their SmartFare card topped up,” she said.
She noted that the team was also educating commuters about the benefits of the system and the bus routes that serve the area.
She pointed out that the response from residents in the parish has been encouraging.
“The people of St. Thomas have embraced us on a really good level,” she said, noting that the buses that traverse these routes are well-supported.
Ms. Palomino encouraged commuters to sign up for and regularly top up their SmartFare cards, noting that Poor Man’s Corner is an ideal location to do so.
She said that the benefits for users include reduced fare for concession passengers, including students, senior citizens and the vulnerable community.
“We have many things coming up this year. Continue to follow our social media page, JUTC LTV, just to see all the smart benefits we’ll be bringing on board,” Ms. Palomino said.
University of the West Indies (UWI) student and Yallahs resident, Shalane Walker, shared her reason for signing up during the activation drive.
“I can just top up the card forever… . I’m also a student, so the transportation would be a lot more easier,” she said.
Two additional SmartFare card pop-up activation events are scheduled for February 7 at Ricky’s Wireless and More, Shop 14A, Walker’s Plaza, 1 Wharf Road, Morant Bay, and on February 21 at Buchanan’s Plaza in Yallahs Square.
