State Minister Pleased With Control Systems at JUTC

KINGSTON — State Minister in the Ministry of Transport and Works, Hon. Othneil Lawrence, says he is pleased with the control systems at the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), resulting in savings and improvement in service delivery.

"There is a strong Board in place, and they are adhering to policies to correct mistakes. At the end of the day, the controls that (are in place), coming from the background as a businessman, I am really impressed, and I know that they are trying their best to save the Government some money, and at the same time, giving service," he said.

The State Minister was speaking after a tour of the Portmore, Spanish Town, and Rockfort bus depots; the Ashenheim Road service depot, and the Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre, on October 10. He was accompanied by Managing Director of the company, Paul Abrahams.

Mr. Lawrence told JIS News that the Board and management are adhering to regulations laid down by the Transport and Works Ministry for the operations of the  JUTC.

He said that members of staff  at the bus company are quite knowledgeable, and their input must be recognised as contributing to the success that has been achieved, citing  the high level of maintenance of the units.

"We are looking at maintaining our fleet, and getting new ones, and making this agency a model in the Caribbean. We also want to continue providing quality service for the commuters,” the State Minister said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Abrahams told JIS News that robberies on the buses have stopped. “We do not have those challenges any longer, the buses are safe. We recognised that there was a difficulty, so the staff and the management worked very hard to overcome it,” the Managing Director said.

The JUTC has as its mission statement: “To contribute to the economic growth and social development of Jamaica by securing resources and providing effective policies, planning, standards and regulations for: the provision of safe and sustainable transport systems for the movement of people and goods, the achievement of efficient, high quality and timely architectural engineering and technical works."

By Garfield L. Angus, JIS Reporter