Expansion for JUTC's cashless, park and ride initiatives

Sheldon Williams, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) Marketing and Communications manager, Clinton Clarke, says this year, the state-owned bus company will be expanding on initiatives introduced in 2013.

Also, there will be a more concentrated effort to keep the commuting public abreast of the JUTC's operations. In addition, Clarke said, "... things like our charters will be intensified. This includes travel to the annual Denbigh Agricultural Show in Clarendon.

The fare collection system will go totally cashless after March 31.

The park and ride system introduced in Portmore last year will be implemented in other areas within the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR). "We are still trying to engage the Portmore citizens and get them to understand the benefits of park and ride, not only to them, but also to the country," Clarke pointed out.

Motor repairs

Clarke said last year was challenging.

"It was a year when we introduced the implementation of the electronic fare collection system, a year when we engaged the Heart NTA and Jamaican-German Automotive School (JAGAS) with the understanding to create and maintain extensive motor repairs of our buses," Clarke said.

He emphasised that the JUTC will be working to maintain their revenue protection scheme "based on the difficulties we were having here with revenue leakage. In November 2013 alone, 11 drivers and mechanics were arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in schemes to defraud the bus company".

Clarke said the recently introduced bus lane on Nelson Mandela Highway continues to provide dividends along routes which utilise the corridor. "We have reaped significant benefits from that. Averages of 28,000 persons are transported daily, which is an increase of 13 per cent in ridership and 10 per cent increase in revenue," he said.

On a sombre note, Clarke said the JUTC is still grieving after losing one of their drivers last year. "Sheldon Smith died on November 29 when his bus slammed into the back of a parked trailer on the Spanish Town bypass. He served the company for 13 years," Clarke said.