COMMUTERS in May Pen, Clarendon; Linstead and Bog Walk, St Catherine; and Albion, St Thomas; could soon have access to service from the State-owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC).

Minister with responsibility for transport Daryl Vaz made a commitment to extend the service of the JUTC to the three rural communities, and surrounding areas, during a media briefing in Ocho Rios, St Ann on Thursday.

“With the coming into being of this world-class highway system across Jamaica, it is important that we do not place reliance on route taxis to provide mass transport of our citizens on highways, it is both counter-productive and risky.

“The JUTC must put itself in a position to deliver on this public good, and I intend to see to that,” said Vaz as he underscored his previously stated commitment to improve the public transportation system for students in rural Jamaica.

According to Vaz, the JUTC will be used as part of the his plan to implement a safe, secure, efficient transport system for rural students

“The rural student transportation system is an economic and social solution that is aimed at resocialisation through transportation. This model will require collaboration from the public transport sector to make it work. There will be standards for operation to ensure the service provided to students in the rural parts of Jamaica is safe, secure, efficient,” added Vaz.

He told the Jamaica Observer that he has not set a hard timeline for the roll-out of the JUTC in the three rural communities but is aiming for the end of this year, or the first quarter of 2024, by which time the company’s fleet should be significantly increased.

The recently appointed transport minister, who also has portfolio responsibility for science, energy, and telecommunications, said the plan to increase the presence of the JUTC into rural Jamaica was one of the issues he discussed with major players in the transport sector at a just concluded retreat.

He said he used the retreat to reiterate his vision for a Jamaican transportation sector which is regarded by the population as a key enabler of national prosperity and development; one that is embraced by Jamaicans as their preferred choice for commute to work, school, church and leisure; and one that is characterised by efficiency, convenience, reliability, safety and security, affordability and a guarantor of a pleasant commuter experience.

“The vision includes a public transportation sector operated by people who understand the social and economic value of a safe, reliable and decent transport service to the well-being of Jamaican citizens and ultimately to the country’s development.

“The public transport associations expressed support for my vision and expressed their commitment to collaborate to deliver service that is safe, reliable, and dignified,” Vaz declared.