The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has significantly expanded its fleet with the acquisition of 100 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, marking the largest single addition to the State-run company’s fleet in its history. This development not only boosts the JUTC’s capacity but also underscores the Government’s commitment to enhancing public transportation with a focus on cleaner and more efficient options.
The fleet expansion includes these 100 new CNG buses alongside the 25 CNG buses already in service, pushing JUTC’s capacity further towards environmentally friendly public transport solutions. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, speaking at the handover ceremony at the JUTC’s Portmore Depot in St. Catherine, emphasized the multifaceted benefits of this investment. He highlighted that shifting to CNG and electric buses would reduce theft of fuel and parts, aiming to cut costs and pass savings on to commuters through improved services.
Holness stated, “As we move to change out the [entire] fleet of these [to] other forms of fuel-driven buses, CNG and electric buses, we hope to radically cut the theft of JUTC fuel and parts to ensure that [those] savings, both in the cost of the fuel and the theft of the fuel, are passed on into more convenience in buses for the people of Jamaica.”
These new buses, which arrived on July 15, are set to service areas in Portmore, Spanish Town, and other parts of St. Catherine, enhancing the reach and efficiency of public transport in these regions.
In a related initiative, 12 buses from the JUTC fleet have been redirected to the Montego Bay Metro Company to augment transportation services on Jamaica’s north coast. This transfer increases Montego Bay Metro’s fleet from six to 18 buses, marking a 200% expansion. The additional buses are expected to increase the number of daily commuters served from 47,000-55,000 to approximately 80,000-100,000, which reflects a 113% increase in daily passenger capacity.
Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications, and Transport, Daryl Vaz, highlighted the benefits of the expanded fleet, stating, “Every bus you see here today represents more jobs, less waiting times, more productivity, safer commute and improved service and comfort.” He noted that the acquisition of these buses had been achieved without the need for external financing or loans, signifying a strategic and self-reliant investment in Jamaica’s public transport infrastructure.
Since 2023, a total of 170 buses have been purchased at a cost of $5 billion. This investment includes a diverse mix of buses, with the 2023 additions featuring 45 diesel buses, 20 CNG buses, and for the first time, five electric buses. The cumulative efforts reflect a clear government directive towards modernizing and diversifying the transportation options available to the public.
JUTC holds an exclusive mandate to provide public transportation services within the Kingston Metropolitan Transit Region (KMTR), operating on 120 routes. With three main depots located in Spanish Town, Portmore, and Rockfort in Kingston, JUTC offers a range of services that include regular routes, charter, and premium express services. The acquisition of these 100 CNG buses further solidifies JUTC’s role in delivering efficient, reliable, and environmentally conscious public transportation solutions in Jamaica.
