Transport Minister Daryl Vaz says the Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) will be expanding its
service to new and premium routes in the new fiscal year.

Vaz, who made the disclosure during the March 7 meeting of the Standing Finance Committee in the House of Representatives, indicated the agency is targeting areas such as Catherine Estates; Mandeville to
May Pen; and Montego Bay to Lucea and Negril.

Minister Vaz said that the expansion of routes is important in meeting the growing demand for public transportation and improving connectivity across the island.

A total of J$10.67 billion has been allocated to the JUTC for the 2025/26 fiscal year.

“There is no significant difference in the JUTC’s proposed allocation compared to its 2024/2025 approved budget. The absence of an increase to the JUTC is due, among other factors, to the savings derived as a result of the introduction of the compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, as well as the security measures to curb the pilfering of fuel,” the minister pointed out.

In addition, the sum of J$296.92 million is being proposed for other public transport operations through Montego Bay Metro Limited.

The total budget for the ministry for 2025/2026 is J$35.4 billion, a net increase of 6.4 per cent over the revised budget of J$28.4 billion for the current financial year.

Of the amount, J$30.9 billion, inclusive of appropriations-in-aid totaling J$892.3 million, is targeted to fund the recurrent activities of the ministry.

“This is an increase of 8.84 per cent in the recurrent budget,” Minister Vaz noted.

The total for the capital head is J$4.5 billion, a roughly eight per cent reduction on the J$4.9 billion previously allocated.

Of the total recurrent budget, J$9.06 billion is in respect of compensation of employees, while the sum of J$21.82 billion is earmarked for programmes.