JUTC Launches New Port Antonio to Kingston Bus Route
By: , September 24, 2026
Photo: Raymond Simpson
A Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus in Port Antonio for the launch of Route 710 on September 23, the company’s newest service operating between Port Antonio and downtown Kingston, via St. Thomas.
Photo: Raymond Simpson
Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz (right), and Miss Jamaica Universe 2026, Celene Hall, were among the passengers on the inaugural trip of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company’s newest service, Route 710, on September 23. The service provides commuters with another public transportation option between Port Antonio and downtown Kingston, with buses travelling through St. Thomas.
Photo: Passengers who boarded the bus in Port Antonio for the official launch of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company’s Route 710 service disembark in Yallahs Square, St. Thomas, on September 23. The service provides scheduled transportation between Port Antonio and downtown Kingston, with return trips from Kingston to Port Antonio on weekdays and Saturdays.
Passengers who boarded the bus in Port Antonio for the official launch of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company’s Route 710 service disembark in Yallahs Square, St. Thomas, on September 23. The service provides scheduled transportation between Port Antonio and downtown Kingston, with return trips from Kingston to Port Antonio on weekdays and Saturdays.The Full Story
The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has officially launched its new Route 710 service, providing commuters with another public transportation option between Port Antonio in Portland and downtown Kingston, with buses travelling through St. Thomas.
The service, which was launched in Port Antonio on Wednesday (September 23), is scheduled to operate from Mondays to Saturdays.
The launch was attended by Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Hon. Daryl Vaz; Managing Director of the Transport Authority, Ralston Smith; Managing Director of the JUTC, Owen Ellington; and General Manager of the JUTC, Anita Rambally.
During his address, Minister Vaz announced a change to the initial schedule, following checks into the departure and arrival times and discussions with Mr. Ellington.
“I was told that it… left Kingston at 5:30 a.m. got here at 7:30 a.m… and turned around in one hour leaving at 8:30 on time,” he said.
“I inquired from the MD [Managing Director] why was the bus leaving from Kingston and not from Port Antonio, because it is for the Port Antonio citizens to be able to go to Kingston on a timely safe manner and, therefore, I’m pleased to announce that we are switching it around and the bus is going to leave from Port Antonio to Kingston,” the Minister said.
Mr. Vaz said arrangements have already been made to house the bus in Port Antonio.
“We have already found a place for the bus to be housed in Port Antonio. So that will happen almost immediately,” he noted.
The Minister said the launch represents more than the introduction of a new bus route.
“It’s a practical step towards a more connected national transport system. One that links communities, supports opportunity and makes reliable public transportation available to more Jamaicans,” he said.
He noted that the service will provide scheduled transportation between Port Antonio and downtown Kingston, with return trips from Kingston to Port Antonio on weekdays and Saturdays.
The fare is $600 for passengers using the JUTC SmartFare card and $700 for those paying with cash. Concession fares for students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities have been set at $300.
The JUTC will return to Port Antonio on Friday, October 2 and Friday, October 9, to continue SmartFare card creation and public education activities.
Mr. Vaz said commuters will have several options for topping up their SmartFare cards, including online.
“You will have several places where you can top up your cards easy and accessible within Port Antonio, and most importantly, commuters can now top up their JUTC cards directly through the GK One app,” he said.
“This in itself is a game changer for public transportation in Jamaica as the JUTC is now offering online top-up through the GK One app, giving commuters a faster, easy, and more convenient way to add funds to their cards without having to visit a physical top-up location,” the Minister said.
