Government approves $2.63 billion for new buses

Jamaica's transportation sector is poised for a major boost as the Government has announced plans to invest more than $2.63 billion to acquire 100 new buses to supplement the Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) fleet of buses.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday, Robert Morgan, minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for information, said Cabinet has approved the award of a US$18,900,000 contract to Von's Motor and Company Limited for the supply and delivery of the compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.

Since the start of the year, the Government has added six new buses into the system from an overseas supplier, who is slated to send an additional two buses in May. The two that will come in May are specially outfitted for the disabled community.

"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," said Transport Minister Daryl Vaz, in speaking about the influx of new buses.

In speaking about the buses Morgan spoke about at the press conference, Vaz had stated that the buses, which are of the compress natural gas variety, are scheduled to arrive in Jamaica ahead of the start of the 2024-25 school year in September.

"I can confirm that the 100 buses I committed 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," said Vaz.

The JUTC operates over 70 routes in Kingston, Portmore, and Spanish Town.