Transport Minister promises rollout of more JUTC buses for new school year

 

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz says emergency repairs are being conducted on disabled Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses as part of a major push to increase the number of buses deployed at the start of the new school year.

 

Speaking today (Wednesday) at a post cabinet press briefing, Mr. Vaz said the increased number of units will bring some relief to students and other commuters who have grown increasingly frustrated with the long wait time for JUTC buses.

 

Mr. Vaz said the 50 new buses which arrived last week, were registered today in time for deployment next week.

 

"We were at a...rollout of 140 buses up to a few weeks ago. Obviously, the optimum is about 400 buses, so you can understand the frustrations of the public passenger. So as of right now, based on emergency procurement of spare parts, we have been able to restore and rehabilitate 125 buses, which gives us 265 buses without the 50 new buses. With the 50 new buses, we will have 315 buses on the road for back to school," he announced.  

 

The minister said Portmore will receive 120 units, including three 34-seater buses to facilitate the disabled, seventeen 49-seater regular buses, and 20 of the new buses. 

 

The Spanish Town depot will see a total allotment of 99 units, consisting of active rehabilitated and new buses. The allocation will include two 34-seater buses for the disabled and 15 regular 49-seater buses. 

 

Five 34-seater buses and eight 49-seater buses will help make up the total allocation of 96 buses at the Rockfort depot.