More JUTC buses attacked

Sheldon Williams, Staff Reporter

Attacks on Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) buses continued yesterday when two more buses were damaged by stone throwers in separate incidents at Gordon Town and Heroes Circle in St Andrew.

In both instances, windscreens of the buses were shattered. Manager of franchise protection and inspection at the JUTC, Radcliffe Lewis said repair costs are estimated at $1 million.

These are the latest in a series of attacks on JUTC buses by people thought to be opposed to the reformed sub-franchise bus system introduced by the JUTC on April 1, 2014.

"These disturbances we have right now are persons who are affiliated to the transport sector so we suspect the stones were flung by these persons (yesterday) morning," Lewis theorised.

Prior to yesterday's attacks, the JUTC recorded 18 other incidents over two days which left damage estimated at $2.5 million to a number of the company's buses. The police have arrested a number of people in connection with the attacks.