JUTC suspending free ride programme for essential workers come February 14

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is suspending its free bus ride programme for essential workers on February 14.

 

Nurses, firemen, police officers and soldiers are among first responders who have been benefiting from the programme since April last year.

 

Information Minister Fayval Williams says the suspension is necessary due to the company’s worsening financial situation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“They have lost significant revenues during the pandemic and this is an effort to recoup some of those revenues….and so as the JUTC seeks to bring its operation back in line, it is trying to ensure that its finances begin to rebuild again so that we have a sustainable public transportation system,” the information minister told journalists at the Post-Cabinet Media Briefing on Wednesday.

 

The JUTC recently told Parliament's Public Accounts Committee its revenue in 2020 was down 50 per cent because of COVID-19 enforced protocols.

 

President of the Nurses Association of Jamaica, Patsy Edwards-Henry told Radio Jamaica News on Wednesday, the association is “sorry” to see the  suspension.

 

“We know that it was coming. It was expected and if it can be extended and the government would want to think about that, then we would be happy. But we do know that getting back to normal is on the tables and we will accept if it’s not possible,” Nurse Edwards-Henry said.

 

The Jamaica Association of Local Government Officers (JALGO), which represents fire-fighters, is questioning the timing of the announcement.

 

General Secretary of JALGO Helene Davis-Whyte also spoke with Radio Jamaica News.

 

 “We did not expect that it would be permanent. What I think we have to look at now is whether or not things at this time sends the right signal, the fact that we are in a worse place I believe, as regards COVID than when the programme started,” she said.