JUTC Provided with 170 New Buses Valued $5b Since 2023

The Government has purchased a total of 170 new buses at a cost of $5 billion since 2023, to boost the Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) fleet and improve service delivery to commuters.

Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, who provided the update, said the purchases were made “solely from the funds of the Jamaican coffers… the Consolidated Fund”, adding that “no loans, no borrowing, no begging” was required to secure these units.

He made the disclosure while making a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (September 24).

Mr. Vaz said between 2014 and 2020, the JUTC saw a concerning decline in the average daily buses available, which directly affected the company’s capacity to transport commuters efficiently.

He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated this situation, resulting in a drastic reduction in both the number of buses and passenger lift, which dropped to alarming lows in 2021.

“However, I am pleased to report that we are on a path to recovery. Under this Government, in 2024, we have increased our daily bus availability to 260, and the passenger lift has surged to over 2.4 million passengers. This increase in the monthly passenger lift for September 2024 is the highest it has been in four years. This revival reflects our commitment to enhancing public transportation and meeting the needs of our commuters and their families,” the Minister added.

Mr. Vaz said the recent acquisition of 100 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, including 10 specially designed units fitted with ramps and amenities for special needs passengers, not only addresses long-standing challenges within the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR) but also extends to Western Jamaica.

The buses arrived in the island in July, ahead of the start of the 2024/25 academic year on September 2.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vaz advised that with the new CNG units, 11 previously low-dispatch bus routes will see enhanced service.

The Rockfort and Spanish Town Depots can now increase the number of buses on critical routes.

These include Spanish Town to Half-Way Tree, Spanish Town to downtown Kingston, Greater Portmore to Half-Way Tree and downtown Kingston, Chancery Street to downtown Kingston, Spanish Town to Cross Roads, Border and Above Rocks to Temple Hall, downtown Kingston to Bull Bay, downtown Kingston to Norman Manley International Airport, Port Royal/Harbour View to downtown Kingston, and downtown Kingston to Gordon Town.

Additionally, Mr. Vaz said passenger wait time will be significantly reduced with the introduction of 17 articulated buses that are being dispatched from the Spanish Town Depot.

These are designed to transport larger numbers of passengers efficiently at the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre and the JUTC downtown Hub.

“In September 2024, we rolled out eight refurbished hill route buses, with an additional eight expected to be refurbished and introduced by January 2025,” the Minister further indicated.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vaz said the shift from diesel to CNG at the Portmore Depot is projected to yield annual fuel savings of approximately $1.8 billion.

“This transition not only reduces operational costs but also enhances national productivity by minimising time spent in traffic,” he added.

Mr. Vaz advised that Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, has given a commitment to facilitating further boosting of the JUTC fleet.

This includes the refurbishing of 16 Golden Dragon buses at a cost of $193.2 million, which are to be completed by January 2025, as also 30 Volvo articulated buses at a cost of $708 million, beginning the third quarter of fiscal year 2024/25.

Mr. Vaz said 100 additional units, comprising 70 CNG and 30 Diesel Coach buses, are also to be procured, 10 of which are being outfitted for the special needs community.

“The initial deposit of $990 million for these buses will be paid over in the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 Financial Year,” he said, adding that the new units are expected to arrive in time for the next academic year.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vaz advised that the Government is committing to expanding the bus routes, based on infrastructure improvements.

“This will be the first time since 2014 that JUTC has had an increase in its fleet for three consecutive years. We stemmed the decline in 2023, and will continue increasing the fleet and operations of the JUTC into 2025,” he said.

Minister Vaz said the enhancement reflects the Government’s committment to providing reliable, safe and environmentally- friendly public transportation options for all Jamaicans.

“By addressing service gaps and modernising our fleet, we are setting the stage for a more efficient transit system that benefits both our citizens and the economy,” he maintained.