Partners with Crime Stop to detect vandals

Durrant Pate/ Contributor

Jamaica’s state-run bus company, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), is beefing up its aging bus fleet while at the same time diversifying its fuel source.

The company will be adding 50 new buses comprising five electric and 45 diesel powered units to its fleet comprising mostly gas operated buses.

Transport and Mining Minister Audley Shaw, in making the announcement during his contribution to the 2022-2023 Sectoral Debate in Parliament on April 27, admitted that the JUTC’s aging and limited fleet is unable to meet the needs of the commuting public.

Shaw pointed out that the procurement of the 50 new buses has received full approval and the award notification has been issued to the supplier.

“This means all is in place for the delivery of the buses to commence within the financial year,” Shaw said.

More buses coming

He announced that the fleet will also benefit from the addition of a further 20 buses, which will be powered by natural gas. These 12-metre Golden Dragon Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses are being acquired under the expansion of the Natural Gas Project, in partnership with the New Fortress Energy Company Limited, which supplies natural gas to the Government of Jamaica (GOJ).

This follows on from the pilot project, which commenced in September 2019. This would bring to 70, the number of JUTC buses which would be powered by LNG.

According to Shaw, “this is by no means enough, however, it is a start. The intention is to get to at least 400 buses”.

In addition to diversifying the fleet with electric and CNG-powered buses, the JUTC will commence testing the use of biodiesel with a view of expanding to the full complement of diesel-operated units in the fleet.

Furthermore, the use of a diversified fuelled fleet is an integrated approach being pursued by the GOJ to enhance the efficiency of the JUTC.

Bus vandalism being addressed

The JUTC has formed a partnership with Crime Stop to address the menacing problem of bus vandalism caused by stone-throwing incidents, which resulted in 70 buses being damaged last year.

This partnership will include a campaign with rewards of up to $100,000 being offered for information which leads to the arrest and charge of persons who engage in this dangerous practice.

The Transport and Mining Minister highlighted that, “notwithstanding the challenges faced by the JUTC, the company is resilient. It is by no means perfect but it remains one of the safest modes of transporting our people, and it has done some good things during the period”.

Among the good things he cited as the partnership with Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA). Last year, the JUTC and CPFSA joined together in the thrust to help recover and protect exploited and missing children.

NEW ELECTRONIC FARE COLLECTION AND FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Under the partnership, approximately 650 staff members were trained in identifying signs of child abuse, awareness of human trafficking, handling incidents, and making reports.  

On another matter, Shaw announced that a new electronic fare collection and fleet management system is coming for the public bus company.

The JUTC is now seeking to procure the services of a consultant to guide the implementation of a new electronic fare collection and fleet management system.

Subsequent to Expressions of Interest received, a Request for Quotations was issued with a timeline for responses by April 28.

Wi-Fi on Buses

Shaw confirmed that Wi-Fi has been installed in 350 buses as per the stated programme.

However, currently some Wi-Fi devices are faulty while some are being serviced.

Shaw mentioned that others have gone missing noting that as of today approximately 170 buses maintain active internet connectivity. The JUTC remains in dialogue with the providers of the service, in respect of addressing these challenges.