Commuters in Jamaica who journey on the state-owned Jamaica City Transit Firm (JUTC) bus pays much less within the coming weeks following a discount in bus fares introduced by the federal government.
In Parliament on Tuesday, Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke introduced a 30 p.c discount in the price of bus fares.
Dr. Clarke mentioned the discount is to take impact on January 1, 2024.
He mentioned the measure is emigrate the impression of the rise in regulated PPV fares introduced in October. Taxi and bus operators have been granted a 19% improve final month. They are going to be granted an extra 16% improve in April 2024.
With the brand new discount in JUTC fares, bus fares for adults will transfer from $100 to $70, fares for kids from $30 to $25, and for pensioners from $40 to $30.
Come April 1, 2024, grownup fares will transfer right down to $50, kids to $20, and pensioners to $25.
The fare adjustment can be in place for 2 years, Dr. Clarke mentioned, including that “after which, fares will should be adjusted upwards.”
JUTC bus routes to develop
In latest months, the federal government has additionally added a brand new fleet of electrical buses to JUTC’s stock, in hopes of finally increasing the bus routes.
The buses at the moment function in and across the Kingston metropolitan space, however Transport Minister Daryl Vaz mentioned that may quickly change.
The Minister just lately made a dedication to commuters in Might Pen, Clarendon; Linstead and Bathroom Stroll, St Catherine; and Albion, St Thomas that they’ll quickly have entry to the buses.
“With the approaching into being of this world-class freeway system throughout Jamaica, it is vital that we don’t place reliance on route taxis to supply mass transport of our residents on highways, it’s each counter-productive and dangerous.
“The JUTC should put itself ready to ship on this public good, and I intend to see to that,” mentioned Vaz as he underscored his beforehand said dedication to bettering the general public transportation system for college students in rural Jamaica.
In accordance with Vaz, the JUTC can be used as a part of his plan to implement a secure, safe, and environment friendly transport system for rural college students.