Move designed to among other things, cut JUTC fuel costs

Durrant Pate/ Contributor

The Government is moving to further modernise the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) fleet with the introduction of buses powered by electric range extenders.

This move is expected to significantly reduce the company’s operational costs and the burden on taxpayers. Minister of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications, Daryl Vaz, who made the disclosure, advised that the Government is moving away from compressed natural gas (CNG) buses in favour of electric range extender technology. This is being done with the newest batch of 100 buses scheduled to be added to the JUTC fleet in 2027.

The Minister said the transition is expected to generate significant savings in fuel costs, particularly against the background of rising fuel prices due to external factors. He explained that annual fuel costs for a JUTC bus have already been reduced from approximately $12 million when operating on diesel to about $7 million with CNG. 

Cutting annual fuel costs

With the introduction of electric range extenders, Minister Vaz said the annual fuel cost could fall to between $3 million and $4 million per bus. He explained that the electric range extender buses will operate on electric power while being charged during operation by a small generator, allowing them to travel longer distances without stopping for extended periods.

The minister reported that these buses can cover the entire Jamaica without having to stop, noting that the projected savings could result in the fuel cost for the newest 100 buses being reduced substantially.

Speaking at the official launch of the JUTC’s newest service, Route 710 downtown Kingston to Port Antonio, Portland on Wednesday (September 23), Vaz also advised that the move to introduce these new buses forms part of the Government’s wider effort to modernise the JUTC and improve the efficiency of its operations.

According to him, “We are not just getting buses for buses’ sake; we are looking at new technology… [and] what needs to be done to get JUTC operational costs down so that we can take that burden off of the taxpayers of Jamaica He also announced plans to acquire 100 additional buses for the Rural School Bus Programme, as well as specialised buses designed to meet the demands of rural terrain and high-volume routes.”

The new Route 710 from Kingston to Port Antonio via St. Thomas provides commuters with another public transportation option between Port Antonio and downtown Kingston, with buses travelling through St. Thomas. The service is scheduled to operate Monday to Saturday.