Amendment To JUTC Bus Fares

The Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr the Hon Omar Davies together with the Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance, Hon Horace Dalley and senior officials of both ministries held a meeting with the leadership of various groups representing pensioners and senior citizens as well as public sector workers earlier today concerning bus fares which were recently announced.  The institutions represented were Jamaica Civil Service Association led by its President, Mr O’Neil Grant and Vice President, Mr Robert Chung; Mrs Helene Davis-Whyte, Vice President of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions, and General Secretary of JALGO; Mr Charles Jones, President of the Jamaica Government Pensioners’ Association; Mrs Syringa Marshall Burnett, Chairman, National Council of Senior Citizens.  The JUTC was represented by Chairman Rev Garnett Roper and Mr Colin Campbell, Managing Director.

There was a frank exchange of views during which the representatives of the trade unions and senior citizens groups spoke to the negative impact which the proposed increase will have on their members.  At the same time, Minister Davies and representatives of the JUTC explained the precarious position of the entity, despite the existing subsidy provided by the GOJ.

It was agreed that there will be consultations beginning immediately on various transportation challenges facing public sector workers, involving the Ministry of Finance and the public sector, the representatives of the workers and the senior leadership of the JUTC.

From the meeting, it was proposed that an adjustment be made to the proposed fare for senior citizens, making it $40.00 (one-third of the adult fare).

This proposal was presented to the Prime Minister and members of Cabinet by Minister Davies and Cabinet has approved this change to the fare structure announced on Wednesday.  Consequently, as of Sunday, August 24, the fare structure will be:

Adults                                                        $120.00

Senior Citizens and pensioners                  $  40.00

Children, Students and members of the disabled community                $  30.00