JUTC trims Ocho Rios bus runs from May 20 after PPV operators raise route concerns

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) will cut how often its buses serve Ocho Rios starting Wednesday, 20 May. The change follows objections from Public Passenger Vehicle (PPV) operators who also work the same corridor.

In a statement issued Sunday, the state-owned operator said the schedule change is part of ongoing talks with transport stakeholders and careful planning of its network.

JUTC said it still aims to give commuters a safe, dependable, and low-cost link between the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR) and Ocho Rios. At the same time, it stressed the need for fairness across Jamaica's wider public transport market.

The company said it is not trying to push PPV crews off the road. Instead, it wants its timetabled service to sit alongside existing options for riders who need predictable, affordable trips.

"JUTC understands the concerns raised by PPV operators, and we have taken the decision to reduce the Ocho Rios service as a demonstration of good faith and partnership," said Shantole Thompson, Corporate Communications Manager at the JUTC.

"Our objective has always been to provide a safe, reliable, and affordable option for commuters travelling between the KMTR and Ocho Rios, while ensuring that we do not negatively impact the livelihood of other operators who serve the route."

Thompson said JUTC will keep tracking passenger demand, how the route performs, and feedback from stakeholders before making further changes.

"We are committed to listening, engaging, and acting responsibly. Public transportation works best when all stakeholders are considered, and this adjustment reflects our willingness to respond in a balanced and practical way," she added.

JUTC said it remains focused on expanding safe, reliable, and affordable public transport islandwide, in line with the Government's push for a more joined-up and efficient national transport system.