Transport Minister Daryl Vaz - FILE PHOTO
Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has clarified that the Jamaica Urban Transit Company has not withdrawn its operations from the 23 routes within the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region which were recently opened to taxis.
Opposition Spokesperson on Transport Mikael Phillips had suggested that the JUTC had abandoned the routes in breach of its exclusive licence.
But, Mr Vaz said on Wednesday that the bus company continues to operate along all designated routes in accordance with its mandate under the exclusive licence granted by the Public Passenger Transport (KMTR) Act.
He said, to improve service reliability and better align with commuter demand, the JUTC is implementing a more predictable and realistic scheduling system.
Mr Vaz explained that, to supplement JUTC services—particularly during off-peak hours—the company has, based on recommendations from the Transport Authority, issued "No Objection" confirmations, permitting a limited number of route taxis to operate along these routes.
He argued that, to characterize this inclusive strategy as a dismantling of the JUTC, is both inaccurate and misleading.
Mr added that the Transport Authority will monitor the routes to ensure they are properly serviced by taxis and a further decision made.
The Minister is also urging what he charactrerised as a more constructive and fact-based dialogue on matters of national interest—particularly where public confidence in essential services is concerned.
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