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Despite the reduction in fares on the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), some commuters believe that it makes no sense because not enough buses are available.
“Is a real struggle. Mi deh a bus stop fi hours, two hours before mi get all a 12 bus. It’s very disgusting, it’s real bad,” said Marcia Roberts, a vendor who has been selling downtown for more than 30 years. Perplexed, the Portmore, St Catherine, resident told THE WEEKEND STAR that she is disappointed with the conditions of the transport system and is hoping to finally see change.
“It’s real, real bad. We are so welcome of the $70, but it nuh really mek nuh sense because wi nah get bus, and a full time it change,” she said. “I work here in downtown and I had to take a taxi in the morning to go to the plaza to catch a bus to come to town. Suh the $70 don’t work for me just the same.”
Last November, Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke announced in the House of Representatives that Jamaicans would pay significantly reduced fares when they use the JUTC, starting January 1 of this year. He said the regular fare would be slashed from $100 to $70; the fare for children would move from $30 to $25 and pensioners would pay $30, down from $40. The fares are to be further reduced starting on April 1. The regular fare will move to $50, the fare for children will drop to $20 and pensioners fare will drop to $25. Clarke said that the measures are temporary.
While on a tour in downtown Kingston on Thursday, Transport Minister Daryl Vaz noted several issues with the North and South Parade JUTC loading stations, and deemed it “an unacceptable situation for Jamaica in 2024”. Issues with the loading stations include no streets in the area, no railing to protect passengers and no covering to shield commuters from the weather.
However, he said commuters can expect change in the coming weeks and months.
“As I had asked before to just give mi some time to basically get the buses here and to make the changes in relation to the customer service and customer satisfaction which is a key component of a successful transport system,” Vaz said.
Despite the promises of change, some commuters believe it may just be a publicity stunt.
“I’m wondering if it’s an election stunt or if they’re showing us that they care or if they’re finally caring for us. I don’t know but whatever it is, I hope it work,” said one commuter.
“Is just fi show dis, nothing nah change,” said another.
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