Vaz: Gov't working to boost JUTC fleet and improve efficiency

By Clinton McGregor 

 

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz says the Andrew Holness administration has been spending billions of dollars over the last year, to revive the ailing Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC).

 

Speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon, Minister Vaz gave an overview of the work being done to improve the efficiency of the public transportation sector following continued frustration expressed by commuters.

 

He said more than 170 new buses have been added to the JUTC's fleet since last year.

 

Mr. Vaz added that the misery index of commuters is trending in the right direction.

 

"From 2014 to 2020, JUTC saw a concerning decline in the average daily buses available, directly affecting our capacity to transport commuters efficiently. The pandemic further caused this situation, resulting in a drastic reduction in both the number of bus and passenger lift dropping to an alarming low in 2021. However, Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to report that we are on the path to recovery. Under this government, in 2024, we have increased our daily bus availability to 260 and the passenger lift has surged to over 2.4 million passengers. This increase in monthly passenger lift for September 24 is the highest it has been in many, many years," he announced. 

 

Mr. Vaz again warned that the Ministry will be reviewing the management structure of the JUTC as part of efforts to curb waste, fraud and theft at the bus company.

 

"In relation to the issue of fuel theft, which has been a perennial problem, obviously transitioning into CNG buses and then into electric buses, that will definitely do a good job in stemming that situation," he touted. 

 

Additionally, he said the bus company will be fully cashless by January 2025, which will not only make it more convenient for customers, but also curtail the theft of fares. 

 

The minister said another 100 new buses will be added to the fleet by the middle of next year. 

 

More must be done 

 

But the parliamentary opposition has insisted that the country's public transport sector remains in crisis and the JUTC is still losing billions of dollars.

 

Shadow Minister for Transport Mikael Phillips urged Minister Vaz to expedite the purchase of new buses instead of spending billions of dollars to repair the ageing fleet.

 

According to Mr. Phillips, the JUTC is still plagued by a chronic shortage of buses. 

 

"Despite that you have the inclusion of these 171 new buses, you're still being subsidised by taxpayers at the rate of $10 billion for this financial year, looking at a loss of approximately $10 billion. So even at the beginning of the financial year, the numbers that the JUTC presented is that even with the inclusion of the new buses, they are not expecting to see any great increase in the fare box. So we're moving, yes, in putting in new buses, but we're not moving in the financial condition of the JUTC," he maintained.