Transport operators could get concession

Transport Minister Dr Omar Davies yesterday said he was considering making some concessions to transport operators in respect of the reconfiguration of routes within the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR).

Transport operators have been up in arms over plans by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) to rationalise bus routes in the KMTR. This would see the number of sub-franchise holders in the transport region being reduced.

Davies disclosed yesterday that at the close of applications for routes in the KMTR, 62 applications were received for 15 routes that were not being offered by the JUTC. Of that 62, Dr Davies said that a proposal is being made for 29 operators to be offered the opportunity to service 10 of these routes.

A total of 306 applications were received for the 22 routes on offer. All of this, he noted, would be subject to Cabinet approval.