The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is now the transport of choice for last year’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics champions Calabar High and Holmwood Technical High.

Both schools were yesterday rewarded for their success at the prestigious meet and will have their own personalised buses that will provide free transportation for athletes for the remainder of the season.

Managing Director of JUTC Collington Campbell, in addressing those in attendance at the company’s headquarters in St Catherine, outlined that the company will establish itself as the leading carrier for all sporting teams.

“We won’t only be the official carriers of the national football team, but for the national cricket team, the national athletics team and for the national netball team,” said the Calabar old boy.

He added that because they are unable to transport the over 100 schools that participate at the Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, they decided to be the official carrier of the two champions to show their gratitude to the student population.

“One of the reasons behind this is because student combination represents the biggest segment of the JUTC market. Everyday we carry 100,000 students, which assist the company in making a daily income of $2 million,” he explained.

Principal of Calabar High, Albert Corcha commented that the sponsorship could not have come at a better time and will go a far way for both schools.

“This is very good for us, as it will assist us financially. The reality is that it costs a whole lot in terms of transporting the teams to and from training and the different meets that we have been involved in.

“Schools are not really endowed with a whole lot of funding so when we have a corporate company that can come on board, it is going to go a far way in helping the two schools to at least cover some of the costs associated with the track and field programme,” he asserted.

The company also provided free transportation to students of St Jago High for the funeral of Cavahn McKenzie over the weekend.

The 2014 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championship will run from March 25-29, and will see JUTC buses being available to transport patrons through common urban area routes.