JUTC boosting its fleet with new buses

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has increased its fleet with the addition of 12 new buses, which recently arrived in the island.

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said the new buses use compressed natural gas (CNG). He noted that six buses arrived earlier this year, with two more which are specially outfitted for the disabled community, due to arrive in May. "When you look at the 50 buses that came in last year July, 45 diesel and five electric at a value of $1 billion, and these 20 CNG buses, valued at $650 million, that would be $1.65 billion that has been returned to the people of Jamaica, based on our good fiscal responsibility."

Vaz further noted that the Government has earmarked $2.6 billion for the acquisition of 100 buses, which are scheduled to arrive before the start of the 2024-25 school year in September.

"I can confirm that the 100 buses I committed - CNG buses - are now in production. Deposits have been made and they will be in production from April 5 and May 10, which means they will leave China at the end of May and arrive here by the end of June for July. That would be 170 new buses in 18 months - 50 under previous ministers, and 120 in less than one year under my stewardship," said Vaz.

Vaz said the Government has committed to the procurement of 330 buses up to fiscal year 2026. The overall coast is estimated at $4.5 billion.

"We have an additional 230 buses that are going to be ordered. The total spend with the 100 buses, the 70 buses before, and the 230 buses, would be almost $10 billion," explained Vaz.