History / Management
Team / Board Members
In 1995, the Government took the decision to restructure
the sector and invest in the required infrastructure
to bring order to public transportation. Consequently,
Metropolitan Management Transport Holdings (MMTH) was
established in 1995 to develop the infrastructure and
the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) was established
in 1998 to provide a centrally managed state-of-the-art
public bus service. This was done at a cost of $6 Billion
because of our commitment as a government to an efficient
transport system and the cries of the Jamaican people
for a decent bus service.
The JUTC was designed to be a safe, modern and reliable
system of transport, efficiently operated at a reasonable
cost to commuters. This involved the construction of
five depots within the Kingston, Portmore and Spanish
Town areas. These depots are located at Ashenheim Road, Lyndhurst Road, Rockfort, Twickenham Park and Greater Portmore.
We have also achieved:
- The acquisition of some 648 Volvo and Mercedes Benz
buses at prices ranging from $3.3 Million to $11.5
Million per unit .
- Acquisition of special buses for the handicapped.
- Thirty single operated MAN buses for hilly routes.
- Twenty Luxury coaches for premium services.
- An electronic fare collection system.
- A comprehensive training programme for staff.
In addition, the Company is reorganizing the existing
route structure to ensure the most convenient service
to commuters, in keeping with up-to-date origin and
destination patterns. Benchmarks have been set and a
number of uneconomic routes, where commuter usage is
low, are being reconfigured.
The JUTC has brought about major changes in the quality
and image of public transport. We have improved on the
comfort and convenience of the service for passengers
with a menu of services never before seen in public
transport in Jamaica. This includes services for physically
challenged, premium
express services, and charter
services.
We have also introduced new state-of-the-art technology
including the electronic fare collection system of which
the Smart Card is a part. Thousands of commuters now
use Smart Cards and usage is growing.
We operate on the principle that a safe efficient and
reliable public transport is essential to the economic
well-being and productivity of the people of the KMTR.
The bus system is the principal means of transport for
our workforce, our students and the majority of the
commuting public. We believe the JUTC buses are to economic
productivity what the airlines are to the tourism industry.
Last year, the people of the KMTR took in excess of
74 million rides on the JUTC buses.
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