Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has said that the improved revenue from passenger and charter trips, along with increased overall ridership in the transportation sector, reflect the success of the Andrew Holness-led government.

According to the latest annual report of the Economic Social Survey of Jamaica, the JUTC has seen a slight increase in its fare income, which has risen from JMD $1.2 billion in 2023 to JMD $1.3 billion in 2024.

The JUTC has reportedly seen a significant jump in the revenue made from passenger and charter trips. In 2023, the JUTC generated JMD $13.9 and 87.3 million from these fields. According to the ESSJ, the Transit company was able to generate JMD $17.3 and $100.9 million during 2024 from passenger and charter trips, respectively.

Vaz credited sound, consistent policies across all ministries for demonstrating Jamaica’s growing potential. He alluded to a Jamaican proverb which states that the ‘proof of the pudding is in eating’, demonstrating that the transportation pudding has moved from leaving a ‘sour taste’ in people’s mouths to being ‘finger-licking good.’

Speaking at the handover ceremony of 93 buses to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company on Wednesday, July 16, he stated that the event represents a milestone, a step forward in the national journey to deliver public transportation that works for all Jamaicans. “We are not just adding buses, we are restoring trust, rebuilding systems, and reaffirming our duty to serve. As minister with responsibility for transport, I’m honoured to stand here as the Ministry of Science, Energy & Technology (MSET) hands over 93 new buses, 63 compressed natural gas, 30 diesel coaches,” Vaz said.

The minister explained that while 93 buses have been delivered, the total order includes 100, with the remaining 7 buses currently being specially manufactured to accommodate the special needs community. These are expected to arrive in August. “And as you know, the policy position of the government is that for all buses that we import, 10 per cent have to be specially manufactured for the special needs community.”

Vaz said all of the buses go through a gruelling test outlined by the Department of Transport and the US government. “So it is not a symbolic gesture, but a bold signal that the government is delivering safer, cleaner, and more efficient transport options for Jamaicans. It is a demonstration that whatever the minister and the ministry say they are going to do, it gets done. We do not make promises. We make commitments. Commitment made, commitment delivered,” he added.

Accomplishments in the transport sector

Vaz revealed that last year, the government handed over 100 new buses under Phase 1 of the 300 bus procurement, representing the single largest fleet expansion of the JUTC in over a decade. “The rollout includes the first batch of 100 compressed natural gas buses, as I said, 10 of which were specially outfitted to serve members of the special needs community. As promised, they arrived in time for the September 2024 school term.”

The minister also recalled that in 2023, when he took responsibility for transport, a total of 70 new buses, including 45 diesel, 20 CNG, and 5 battery electric buses, were purchased. “Additionally, you can recall that of the fleet buses deployed by the JUTC today, 71 per cent of the total buses are new buses, which were obtained between 2023 and 2024.

“That simply means that we have more new buses in the JUTC fleet than used buses. The average age in the public transportation system for public passenger vehicles is 14 years old. The average age of buses in the public transportation system, those would be the coaster buses and such, is an average of 18 years. The average age of the JUTC fleet before the introduction of these 270 buses was 14 years. The average age of the school buses that are ready to be rolled out in September is 10 years,” he said to dismantle any propaganda surrounding the life of the buses that will be in effect come September 2025.

He further stated that the school buses are the newest used vehicles in the transport sector in Jamaica. “Not to mention the service that they have to go through and the checks and the testing that they have to go through every year by certified inspectors in the United States of America. As minister, I remain committed to ensuring the sustainable expansion of the public transport system,” Vaz added.

Growing revenues, improved performance reported at JUTC – Our Today