St. Thomas commuters welcome JUTC service, but PPV operators concerned

By Kimone Witter    

 

Some public passenger bus owners and operators are concerned that they will suffer significant losses in revenue from the new St. Thomas to Kingston service being offered by the state owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC).

 

The bus routes, 701 from Yallahs to Kingston and 702 from Morant Bay to Kingston, were rolled out on Monday morning.

 

The fares range from $50 to $200 with SmartFare Cards.

 

There is an additional cost if passengers do not have the cards.

 

One Coaster bus owner told Radio Jamaica News that the more than 100 per cent reduction in fares will be a cost benefit for commuters.

 

But he is crying foul that the government has made no consideration for PPV owners and operators who cannot compete with the JUTC fares. 

 

"The move by the government to now implement the JUTC system from Kingston to St. Thomas is a very good move for the citizens of St. Thomas in terms of [those] who are taking the bus day to day, based on the price ratings. However, there's an imbalance and you could say it's almost unfair for the government at this time not to be thinking about the Coaster, the Hiace bus drivers that [have] been... taking St. Thomas people from Kingston to Town and back for years, decades. What type of plan was introduced or even considered on behalf of these drivers?" he contended. 

 

Radio Jamaica News sought a response from Transport Minister Daryl Vaz but was not successful.

 

The introduction of the St. Thomas service follows a commitment made by Mr. Vaz that more JUTC routes are to come on stream as a result of the acquisition of 100 new buses in July this year. 

 

Scores of commuters on Monday morning welcomed the inaugural service of the Jamaica Urban Transit Company in St. Thomas.

 

The commuters hailed the service as a welcomed change that will make their commute into Kingston more comfortable.

 

A mother of three told Radio Jamaica News that she was frustrated with the conductors of the Coaster buses which regularly ply the Yallahs and Morant Bay routes.

 

She said conductors often deprived her of a seat on the buses because she was travelling with her children, which contributed to them getting home late.

 

Other commuters shared similar experiences. 

 

"Well, I am happy, I am elated because coming from Kingston in the evening, transportation sometimes it is very hard. So I am very, very, very grateful. And mi want di bus man dem get a run fi dem money because dem nuh deal wid wi right over di years. So I am very, very grateful for that," said another woman.