JUTC coming to northern Clarendon soon, says mayor

 

An expansion of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) bus system in parts of northern Clarendon is on the horizon, following its recent revival in the capital, May Pen.

 

This is according to Mayor of Clarendon, Joel Williams, who confirmed that the buses began operation earlier this week.

 

The buses are primarily being used to transport students to schools in May Pen to Lionel Town, Toll Gate and Garvey Maceo.

 

The reintroduction of the bus service comes under the Ministry of Transport's rural public transport service, which was piloted in Clarendon almost nine years ago.

 

Mayor Williams said the move is a further extension of a system which had been in operation in the 1990s.

 

He added that the bus system will soon traverse some northern routes, including Chapelton and Mocho. 

 

"I understand from discussion with the chairman that they will be expanding probably later on this year going into Mandeville. There were a lot of teachers, parents, who were clamouring for the service to be back in our space. I'm pretty happy that the government has responded," he said, noting the trauma experienced by people in the parish following a deadly crash which claimed the lives of two students in December last year. 

 

Mayor Williams said the ongoing rehabilitation of roads under the SPARK programme will also improve travelling conditions.

 

Sandra Bartley, who was observed accompanying her child to the bus stop, has welcomed the revival of the rural bus service, saying the buses are clean and are being operated in a manner than promotes discipline.  

 

"Yuh nuh have no crowd, lapping up, no loud music, and all a that. Them drive safely, reach school safely and come home safely."

 

The buses are being deployed from the Denbigh show ground area until a permanent depot is established.