Gov't chided as JUTC racks up losses

 

The government has been raked over the coals for its management of the state-run Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC). 

 

Opposition Spokesman on Transport Mikael Phillips says the bus company has registered losses of $100 billion since the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) took the reins of government in 2016. 

 

Mr. Phillips says there has been a drastic decline in ridership with the number moving from 63 million passengers in 2016 to 18 million last year. 

 

"Daily bus run out, 450 [in 2016]; in 2024, 203 buses running out daily. But it even gets worse, Madam Speaker. Operational cost recovery in 2016 was 70 per cent; in 2024, 12 per cent. It even gets worse than that, because farebox revenue in 2016 was $4.5 billion; in 2024, a mere $1.4 billion. This year, the JUTC is expected to record a loss of $13 billion with a government of Jamaica subsidy of $11 billion," he outlined.

 

Mr. Phillips was making his contribution to the sectoral debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.